THE NAVIGATION CONFERENCE

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8781, 8 April 1907, Page 2

THE NAVIGATION CONFERENCE

Press Association.—Copyright. London, April C. Sir W. Lyne’s motion also provided that officers must be British subjects.

The Imperial delegates abstained from voting on the motion.

Sir Joseph Ward attended the annual meeting of the Institute of Marine Engineers and presented Lord Pirrie with a gold badge from the Now Zealand marine engineers. He eulogised Lord Pirrie as a great captain of industry. He also presented a badge to Archibald Denny. He declared that the colonial representatives will do anything to make a better link of affection between the old and the new world. He wished for fresh and concrete trade within the Empire. Mr A. Hialop expressed the opinion that the Navigation Conference means improving the status of British seamen.

London, April G

At the Navigation Conference Sir W. Lyne, 'with a view to prevent crimping, moved tiiat no seaman ho permitted to engage as able seaman aboard any British ship who could not show that he is entitled to that rating. The motion was amended by addition of the words “period of sea service being three years,” and carried.

Referring to the-adoption of a manning scale of seamen and firemen, Mr Hill explained that Giving to tho enormous increase of labor saving appliances, 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 Laborsaving appliances. He opposed tho manning scale for officers and deck hands, but Australia’s right to make a manning scale for Colonial ships was not questioned. ■

Mr Hughes contended that the Conference ought to approve of thq principle of a manning scale for all British ships. Ho gave notice of motion approving of the adoption of a manning scale on all British ships, thus raising the question of the scope of the Conference’s powers. Sir W. Lyne proposed that no person should bo employed as an officer aboard any British ship registered in Australia, or engaged in coastal trade, who is not thoroughly conversant with the English language. The motion was carried, fhongh Mr Hughes asked that a vote be not taken until the Conference decided his motion regarding tho powers of the Conference. Mr Smith, of tho Board of Trade, who was chairman, ruled that the Conference Is empowered to discuss what the British merchant marine should do.

Mr Hughes interjected; “ Hqw then is it possible to secure uniform legislation ?” Mr Hughes characterised as amazing tho declaration of Mr Lloyd George that there is no prospect of any alteration of British navigation laws for another 12 or 20 years. Mr Smith asked that the awkward question be postponed. British shipowners contended that it was absolutely inrppssiblo with tho United Kingdom’s population, to maintain the mercantile marine without foreigners and Lascars. Owners were often ignorant as to the ports their ships visit, and thus were unable to comply with divergent standard requirements which must act ns tollbars to the British marine and as it, bounty to foreigners, if the same disabilities were not imposed on them. - It was dqubtfu if tho proposed wages obligation would bo advantageous to Australia as higher charges lor oversea traffic were inevitable if oversea ships were compelled to abandon Australian coastal traffic. It would also be impossible to frame a uniform bill. Respecting the retrospective character of regulations regarding accommodation, ventilation and conveniences, Sir Joseph Ward moved that the colonial limit accommodation should apply to existing vessels except in those cases in which the Minister was satisfied tjijt structural alterations would lie unreasonable, the ship owner having the right in all cases to appeal to lav/,

After a long discussion a motion of Mr Norman Hill, representing the ship owners, was substituted and carried, providing that the Australian Governments, instead of imposing new conditions involving structural alterations of vessels built prior t.oJhe enactment of. such conditions, should requite only existing vessels which the local authorities consider unhealthy should be brought into a sanitary and healthful ooqdition to the satisfaction of the authorities. Mr W. M, Hughes argued that the lav/ ought to apply to all ships, but if structural alterations were practically impossible the Minister might grant exemption.