NAVIGATION COMMISSION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1704, 21 March 1906, Page 2

NAVIGATION COMMISSION.

CRIMPING LAW DEFIED,

By. telegraph. Press Ass’n, Copyright

Sydney, Maroh 20. The Maritime Commisaioneis’ report states that tho evidence regarding orimpiog was of an extraordinary character, and some so sensational that had it not been amply corroborated its accuracy might have been doubted The law to prevent crimping wbb quite inadequate. For years past it had been openly defied in Newcastle, whore a regular traffic existed, inciting men to desert. Several witnesses asserted that masters of vessels connived at the practice, partly for tbe purpose of sharing the blood money obtained from sailors, and partly for the purpose of depriving seamen of their wages. Regarding rebates, tbe Commission says it is freely stated that a combine already exists by which passengers and cargo rates under the Steamship Owners’Federation are regulated. Its extent may be gauged from the faot that out of 180.000 tons engaged in inter-State traffic less than 10,000 torn are outside the ring- Evidence was given that any departure from the agreement under the combine involved forfeiture of tho rebates on the whole year’s transactions.

PRESS OPINIONS ON THE REPORT

By telegraph* Fresa (A’stt’n,, Copyright Sydney, March 20. The Herald, commenting on the report, says tbe taxpayer may perhaps be excused if he regrets so much time and money has been expended in 1' e collection of wellknown facts and airy theories, The Daily Telegraph says a peculiarity of the report is that it completely ignores the project of a Commonwealth-owned iine of oversea mail steamers which the Labor party has so insistently advocated. It considers the conditions,would almost certainly have the eSect of excluding British and foreign shipping from our coafi trade, the avowed object being to build up a local mercantile marine. Tho Telegraph instances as a lurid example of this policy tbe United States, which has seen its mercantile marine almost extinguished by this very prooess..

VIEWS OF LONDON TIMES.

Bj telegraph', Pw*s Aua’n, Copyright Reoeived 11 p.m., March 20. London, March 20. Tbe Times says that the report of the Australian Federal Navigation Commim sion is a document of great Imperial interest, and indicates side by side with the growth of the Australian national prin* ciple that the Commonwealth evinces a muoh fuller consciousness of Imperial unity. Mo3t rightly and far eightedly the oolonies adhere to the preferential treatment between the members of the Empire. No surprise is felt at the deoision to secure the oarrying trade of Australian waters for Australians. The Times heartily uproves of the project to establish a naval reserve, without raising the vexed questions of higher Imperial strategy. The Commission evident desire is to stop the decline of the numbers of British seamen end commands foil sympathy.