THE COLONIAL PREMIERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2048, 8 April 1907, Page 3

THE COLONIAL PREMIERS.

CONFERENCE TO SIT THRICE A WEEK. Received 4.2 p.m., April 7. LONDON, April 0. Lord Elgin opens the Colonial Conference, which sits thrice weekly. It is expected there will he at least ten sittings. , Sir Joseph Ward attended the annual meeting of the Institute of Marine Engineers, and presented Lord Pirrio with a gold badge from the New Zealand marine engineers. He eulogised Lord Pirrio as a great captain of industry. He also presented a badge to Mr. Archibald Denny. Sir Joseph Ward declared that the colonial representatives would ilo anything to make a better link of affection between the old and the new world. They wished lor fresh and concrete trade within the Empire. Mr. A. Ilislop expressed the opinion that the Navigation Conference means improving the status of British seamen.

The Spectator declares that the concession of preference on British goods will not interfere with the essential principle of the colonial fiscal systems, namely, protecting their manufacturers from outside competition, but Britain cannot give preference without destroying tlio principle of a free market, subject to revenue duties only.

The Navy League will momoralise the Colonial Premiers, urging cooperation with tlio Motherland in suggesting the establishment of colonial naval militia officers and men employed in the colonial mercantile marine, recommending that naval Imperial reserve vessels be stationed at colonial ports to enable the militia to drill and cruise, officers and men to be interchangeable with tlio British 'Njavy.

A HEAVY LOSS. Received 4.42 p.m., April 7. SYDNEY. April 7. The blood stallion Sir Foote, which returned home from Sydney show, ■where lie took champion prize for best horse exhibited, on Thursday, died yesterday. THE AMEER EXPLAINS. Received 5.30 p.m., April 7. CALCUTTA, April 6. The Ameer, holding a durbar, satisfactorily explained to the Mullalis that there, was nothing, in Freemasonry opposed to Mahommedism. He declared that there was nothing in Moslem scriptures to prohibit Mussalmans eating with Christians.

OUTRAGES IN CHINA. COMPENSATION AGREED TO. Received 5.30 p.m., April 7. LONDON, April 6. Britain’s suggestion that inasmuch as local authorities are not blameable, China compensates Dr. Horne and Mr. F. Eadie, who wore attacked by Chinese pirates at Tungan last year, lias been accepted. Dr. Horne receives one thousand sterling and Mr. Eadie 'one hundred.

THE ASSOUAN DAM. HEIGHT TO BE INCREASED. Received 5.30 p.m., April 7. LONDON, April 6. John Ail'd and Son have contracted to add 24ft to tlio height of the Assouan dam. ACCIDENT ON DREADNOUGHT. BURSTING OF BOILER TUBE.

Received 5.30 p.m., April 7. LONDON, April 6. One of the Dreadnought’s boiler tubes burst on the voyage homewards and three stokers were badly scalded on the heads and backs. They are now in the Haslar hospital. ANGLO-FRENCH COMMISSION. THE NEW HEBRIDES CONVENTION. Received 5.30 p.m., April t. LONDON, April 6. Reuter states that the meeting of the Anglo-French Comission will be held in May, instead of in April. It discusses the details of the New He*--brides Convention, including land claims and the details of the new administration. Sir Eldon Gorst will probably represent the Foreign Office, and Messrs. H. B. Cox and Dale the Colonial Office.

MOROCCO. SETTLEMENT OF ETHERGRAM DIFFICULTY. Received 4.54 p.m., April 7. PARIS, April 6. France and Germany have amicably settled- the difficulty regarding the transmission of ethergranis in Morocco. STEAMER STRIKES A REEF. BEACHED IN' GABO HARBOR. Received 4.25-p.m., April 7. SYDNEY, April 7. Gabo Island reports as follows: “In thick weather, at 3.30 this morning, the steamer Easby struck the Skerries reef. . Her bottom was seriously damaged. The water gained rapidly, and the steamer was beached in Gabo harbor. The sea is smooth.”

navigation conference. LONDON; April 6. At the Navigation Conference Sir •\v. Lvne contended it was necessary to reserve absolute right to the Australasian Governments to make# a survey of vessels if they think it necessary. A long discussion took place relative to whether the r ego lations regarding accommodation should be retrospective. Sir W. Lyne and Mr Hughes were very emphatic as to the necessity to bring British vessels up to the Australian' requirements. Mr Hughes said the proposed Australian Bill provided that if the shipwright surveyor’s certificate showed structural alterations were too costly or impracticable, accommodation of only 72 cubic feet might be accepted, provided ventilation and sanitation were otherwise satisfactory. Sir Joseph Ward did not agree with the regulations being retrospective. Sir Joseph suggested that if it was impossible to make the alterations reasonably the Minister should decide, subject to the right of appeal to the law courts. Mr. Belcher (New Zealand) agreed that the regulations should be retrospective. Sir W. Lyne said Australia was not going without a big struggle to surrender her right to deal with this

matter. Mr. James Mills (New Zealand) advised that the Minister should exercise his discretion where structural alterations were impossible. Mr. Thomson believed the Australian Parliament would meet shipowners reasonably in the matter. The Conference adjourned. Sir W. Lyne, interviewed by the Westminster Gazette, warmly defended the Commonwealth Commerce Anti-Trust Acts. The Morning Post says since it is 'impossible for the mercantile marine, competing with foreigners throughout the world, to generally adopt the Australasian ■standards, the only solution seems to be to make special arrangements for the Australasian portion of the voyage and cosatal trade, Britishers finding ample compensation ill the promised preference which will thus bo a basis of colonial .policy, domestic and Imperial, £j.j.t, a, ' i " i V ■•'> , ..

Received 4.36 p.m.. April 7. LONDON, April 7. Sir William Lyuo’s motion also provided that officers must he British subjects.

The Imperial delegates abstained from voting on the motion. Received 5.39 p.m., April 7.

Mr. Hughes contended that the Conference ought to approve of the principle of a manning soalo for all British ships. He gavo notice of motion, approving of the adoption of a manning scale on all British ships, tints raising the question of the scope of tlio conferences and their powers.

Sir William Lyno proposed that no person should he employed as an officer aboard any British ship registered in Australia or engaged in the coastal trade who is not thoroughly conversant with the English language The motion was carried, though Mr Hughes asked that a voto he not taken until the Conference had decided his motion regarding tlio powers of the Conference.

Mr. Smith, of the Board of Trade, who is chairman, ruled that the Conference was not empowered to discuss what tlio British, mercantile marine should do.

Mr. Hughes interjected: ‘‘How then is it possible to secure uniform legislation ?” Mr. Hughes characterised as an amazing declaration that of Mr. Lloyd-Georgo that there is no prospect of any alteration of British navigation laws for another 12 or 20

Mr. Smith asked that the awkward question be postponed. Received G p.m., April 7. British shipowners contended that it was absolutely impossible, with the United Kingdom’s population, to maintain the present mercantile maiino without foreigners and Lascars. Owners wero often ignorant as to the ports their ships would i isit, and thus were unable to comply with the divergent standards and re-

quirements, which must act ns toll bars to British marine'and as a bounty to foreigners if tlio same disabilities were not imposed on them. It was doubtful if the proposed wages obligation would bo advantageous to Australia, as higher charges for oversea traffic would he inevitable if oversea ships were compelled to aban-

don Australian coastal traffic. It would also bo impossible to frame a uniform hill of lading respecting tlio retrospective character of the regnla-

ion regarding accommodation, .veiltint ion, and conveniences.

Sir Joseph Ward moved that the colonial limit of accommodation should apply to existing vessels, except in those cases in which the Minister was satisfied that the structural alterations wore unreasonable, the shipowner having the right in all cases to appeal to the law. After a long discussion, a motion of Mr. Norman Hill, representing ship-owners, was substituted and carried, providing that Australian Governments, instead of imposing new conditions involving structural alterations to vessels built jmor to the enactment of such conditions, should require only existing vessels which the local authorities consider un-

healthy should be brought into a sanitary, healthful condition to the satisfaction of the authorities.

Mr. W. M. Hughes argued that le law ought to apply to all ships, it if structural alterations wore

jractically impossible the Minister night grant an exemption regarding he cubic space, provided tlio sanitary arrangements and ventilation lomplied with tlio new regulations. If necessary Parliament would pro-

bably allow old ships two years to comply with the requirements of the

On a division Messrs Hughes, Havelock, and Wilson dissented from ?,Ir. Hill’s motion.

Sir AVilliam Lyne, with a view of preventing crimping, moved that no seaman be -permitted to engage as able seaman aboard any British ship who could not show he was entitled to that rating. The motion, amended by the addition of the words, “the period of sea service being three years,” was cairied. Referring to the adoption of the manning scale of seamen and firemen, Mr. Hill explained that owing “to the enormous increase ill laborsaving apjjliances a manning scale based on tonnage, coal consumption, and horse power would prove a delusion and act as a serious check to the introduction of labor-saving appliances. He was opposed to a manning scale for officers and deck hands. Australia’s right to make a manning scale for colonial ships was not questioned.

. HORSE RACING. Received 7.40 p■ ni. April 6. SYDNEY, April 6. There was fine, weather and a largo attendance. The results were: • Rouse Handicap: Roosevelt, 1.2, 1; Oakton, 9.0, 2; Barrenjooy, 8.4, 3. There were nine starters. The betting was: Seven to 4 against Lady Esme, 5 to 1 Barrenjoey, ■ 6 to 1 Roosevelt. At the distance Roosevelt had gone clean away from the field, winning by six lengths. Time, 2.21 J. Place Handicap: Lord Fitzrov,

7.10, 1; Comely, 7.13, 2; Cryde, t.U 3. There were nine starters. Bet-

ting: Seven to 2 against Florence, 6to 1 Comely, 7to 1 Fitzroy. At the mile Fitzroy had a couple of lengths’ lead, which Comely and Cryde reduced to half a length, at the half mile, closing on the lender ■n the straight. Fitzroy, however, responded, winning by half a length.

I'ime, 2.37). Second Steeplechase: Sultan, 1J < . ; Marjorie, 10.2, 2. There wore ivo starters. TE&tting: Six to 4 igainst Kuramba, 5 to 2 Rongoo, • O I Sultana. At tlic logs Rongoo ell, while on tlio second round Karunba and Auriculuni had a long lead

until both fell at different points, leaving Sultan and Marjorie to fin ,sh he race. Sultan won by a furlong. Time, 7.23). A.J.C. Plate: Dividend (Barden),!

’recced (Clayton) 2, Procccdor 3. The other starter was Blue Spec, lotting: 5 to 2 on Dividend,s to 1 Igainst Proceed, 7 to 1 Blue Spec, 1.0 to 1 Procccdor. The field moved ,|f slowly, Dividend in front, Pro--ecdor and Blue Spec next. This ,rder was followed out of the straight along the back. At Kensington Procccdor moved up to Dividend, but the latter got away again, passing the stand the second time Dividend had a length lead from Procccdor, with the others closing handy. Rounding the bend Proceed

van up second when entering the straight, but gave Dividend no seri.jus difficulty in winning by a length. Time, 3.34. Nursery Handicap: Maltine, 9.0, t; Vaporize, 8.4, 2; Jock, 7.0, 3. Eighteen started: Betting: 3 to 1 against Maltine, 4 to 1 Oboe, 6 to 1 .Jock, Won by two lengths. Time, 1.15). Final Handicap: Fez, 6.7, 1; Laociblo, 7.7, 2; Wandin, 8.4, 3. Eighteen started. Betting: 2 to 1 against Wandin, 4 to 1 Roosevelt, 8 to 1 Bertliicr and Rose Ray. IVon by two lengths. Time 2.8. Press Associatioa. AUCKLAND, last night. The Auckland Racing Chib’s Autumn meeting concluded yesterday. The weather was favorable and there was a good attendance. The sum of £15839 10s was put through the totalisator, making a total of £45,185 for the meeting, compared with £41,440 last year. The results were: Maiden Hurdles Cacbuca 1, Hevwood 2, Tui 3. All started. Won by

two lengths. Time, 3.20. Div., £3

13s. Victoria Handicap: Quadroon 1, Poliutu 2, Cadenco 3. Scratched. Lamainypo. Won by three lengths. Time, 1.2 3-5. l)ivs., £3 13s and £3 14s.

Criterion Handicap: Lady Crossy

1, Dogger Bank 2, Naponapo 3. Scratched: Soultlino. Won bytlueo quarters of a length. Time, 1.17. Divs., £7 14s and £1 3s 6d. Autumn Handicap: Master De-

lavel 1, Uhlnudcr 2, Paritutu 3. All started. Won by a length. Time, 2.35 3-5. Divs., £3 8s and £5 15s. St. Holior’s Hurdles: Testator 1, Soultfish 2, Lady Huno 3. All started. Won by four lengths. Time, 8.48 3-5. Divs., £3 7s and £3 Gs. Auckland Welter: Celtic 4, Loid Seaton 2, Uranium 3. Scratched: Bally. Won by a neck. Time, 1.414. Divs. not sent. Tourist Handicap: Delegate 1, Waitati 2, Octoroon 3. Scratched: Napenape. Won by a length. Time, 1.2 3-5. Divs., £7 17s and £1 7s. Bueklnml Handicap: Carl Rosa 1, Miss AVinnio 2, Lucroeo 3. Scratched: iEolus, Celtic, .Delania, Freemount, Tui Cakahau, Soultmaid. AVon by a length. Time, 1.28. Divs., £3 6s and £4 4s.