SHIPPING AFFAIRS

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2077, 11 May 1907, Page 1

SHIPPING AFFAIRS

THE BARQUENTINE ILMA. Press Association. AUCKLAND, yesterday

Several matters of importance wore brought under the notice of the Hon. J. A. Millar by a deputation of tho Seamen’s Union. It was stated that though the Norwegian vessel Inga, now trading between Kaipara and Sydney, had to be manned according to the New Zealand scale, she paid lower wages, it was therefore unfair competition to vessels owned in New Zealand. Mr Millar said this could only ho remedied by tho definition of coastwise trading being extended to include vessels trading between Australia and Now Zealand. This was one of tho matters sent to tho Maritime Conference by New Zealand. On rorcipt of the Conference report, the matter would bo gone into. Regarding the report that the jtjarquentino lima was short of provisions when only 12 days out from Thames, Mr. Millar said he had no official report. The vessel belonged to a firm that had the reputation of carrying more provisions and provisions of better quality than the Act required. The master of the Uma was left ashore that trip through illness. Mr. Millar added that he intended to institute a better system of inspection of vessels at the smaller ports, and to give fresh instructions to officers in charge of the work of inspection. He agreed with the deputation that it was necessary to do something in the matter of protecting unionists. It was unjust that nien taking no part in union affaiis should have equal benefits with those who took a prominent part in unions and risked tlioir positions in doing so. Ho believed the sense of justice of the House would see this righted when be brought an amending Bill before Parliament. Regarding service certificates, Mr. Millar said he saw no reason why a man who was compotent to have charge of a vessel of twenty tons should not have charge of a vessel of fifty tons. It should bo a question of limit of Ins running rather than limit of the size of his vessel.