NAVIGATION CONFERENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2051, 11 April 1907, Page 2

NAVIGATION CONFERENCE.

LONDON, April 9. The Colonial delegates refused to accept Mr Hill’s suggestion as a matter of expediency that oversea vessels only engaged in the colonial coasting trade to the extent- of taking passengers and cargo from one colonial port to another should not be deemed to be engaged in coastal trade. After Mr. Lloyd George had consulted the Australasian delegates, the conference resolved that a vessel engaged in oversea trade shall not be deemed to bo engaged in the coasting trade merely because she carries between Australian and New Zealand ports (Ist) passengers holding through tickets to New Zealand from some oversea place, and (2nd) merchandiseconsigned on through bills of lading: to or from some oversea place.

The Conference next discussed the question of limits within which Australasian wages and regulations shall be applicable. Sir Joseph Ward’s motion was carried, recognising the right of Australian Governments to provide that crews skipped from Australia and New Zealand to Fiji and the Pacific Islands should receive such wages ns their respective Governments have fixed. Sir Joseph Ward contended that Australasian steamship owners wero entitled to be protected, and it would be unfair to them and their officers and seamen ii other ships were allowed to compete by paying lower wages. Sir AY. Lvne argued that crews picked up in Australasian ports by foreign ships trading to the Islands: might to come under the Australasian wages conditions.

Mr. Hughes strongly urged the: application of Australian conditions, to any vessels trading from the* Commonwealth to Fiji and Pacific islands.

The Colonial Office legal delegates questioned tho Commonwealth’s right to apply Australian conditions to oversea vessels touching at Australian ports and then proceeding to Fiji. Sir AV. Lyne called attention to a legal decision referring to the breaking of sealed stores outside territorial waters and the fining of the master of tlie vessel at the next Australian port of call. The question was unsettled.

Sir Joseph AA’ard gave notice to urge tho British Government to secure recognition of the Commonwealth’s and New Zealand’s right of representation on tho Suez Canal Council. Sir Joseph also moves that the British, Commonwealth, and New Zealand Governments lie asked to legislate to give effect tb the Conference’s resolutions.

LONDON, April 10. 1 lie Navigation Conference resolved that no ships shall trade on the Australian coast without a license. The Colonial Office suggested that licenses might take tile form of a. tax sufficient to prove a serious handicap. Mr. Hughes explained that- the Royal Commission had entertained no such intention. It only proposed to charge a small fee to cover official expenses. * Discussion was re-opened on Sir Joseph AA’ard’s motion respecting tho right of Australian Governments to fix tho wages of crews shipped in tlie Commonwealth and New Zealand for kiji and the Pacific Islands. Mr. liill agreed that the Colonies, could exorcise jurisdiction over tlicir' territorial waters, but was unableto entertain tlie extension principle beyond. Sir AA’illiani Lyne desired a line of demarkation, indicating; what was within the coastal trade; of tlie Commonwealth and New Zealand.

Sir Joseph Ward accepted the suggestion. He was very desirous to protect colonial ship-owners against unfair competition from outside. Mr. Lloyd George explained that lie had not' expected his remarks to bo taken literally. He only meant to indicate the difficulty of legislating. Mr Hughes moved that the Conference approves of the principle of a manning scale applicable to all vessels registered in the United Kingdom, Australia, and Now Zealand. An interesting discussion resulted from the Board of Trade expert incidentally revealing that the Department insisted on a certain minimum of officers and crew before recognising a vessel ns seaworthy. Mr. Thompson insisted that it was necessary to produce an equitable manning scale. Mr. Hughes suggested competitors who did comply with the colonial law.

Mr Lloyd Georgo ruled Mr Hughes’ motion out of order that Australian conditions he applied to all ships engaged in trading to and from any port of the Commonwealth and the islands of the Pacific. Mr. Hughes thereupon raised the question of the scope of the Conference, claiming that Mr. Lyttelton’s 'invitation to the contemplated conference contained very wide powers. How was it possible to secure uniform legislation when the President indicated that there would be no fresh Imperial Navigation Bill for many years. If that were so uniformity WHS only possible by restricting the freedom of colonial legislation and the appointment of a committee tor adjust anomalies. Sir Joseph Ward, in deference to Mr. Lloyd George’s suggestion withdrew his Suez Canal Council resolution. with the view of introdueng it at the Colonial Conference after consultation with Mr. Deakin.

SEVERE WEATHER.

ST. JOHN, April 9. The worst blizzard for forty years is raging in Newfoundland. The railways and roads are blocked "'with snow-drifts, and the telegraph service is crippled.

ADELAIDE, April 10

The barque Manurewa experienced a fierce hurricane off the South Australian coast. She lost several sails, and had to jettison 35,000 feet of kauri, white pine, and a quantity of deck cargo.

NORFOLK ISLAND, April 9. The mission steamer Southern Cross experienced heavy weather off the Three Kings. Her decks wore flooded, and she had to jettison her deck cargo.

CHAMPION RUNNER.

PERTH, April 10.

At Boulder racecourse, Postle ran Day for the championship of the world over distances of 200, 300, ami 450 yards. Postle won all distances easily.