THE NAVIGATION CONFERENCE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 8 April 1907, Page 3

THE NAVIGATION CONFERENCE

ACCOMMODATION FOR SEAMEX. THE AI'STKALIAX STANDARD. London, April 5. At the Navigation Conference Sir W. Lyne contended that it was necessarv to observe the absolute right of the Australian Government to make a survey of vessels if they think it necessary. There was a long discussion relative to whether the regulation regarding accommodation would be retrospective. Sir W. Lyne and -Mr Hughes tof Australia) were very emphatic that it was necessary to bring British thips up to Australian requirements. Mr Hughes said the proposed Australian Bill provided that if ft shipwright surveyor's certificate showed that structural alterations were too costly or -impracticable, accommodation of only 72 cubic feet, might he accepted, provided the ventilation and .-anitation wire otherwise satisfactory. Sir .1. tt. Ward did not agree with the regulation being retrospective. He suggested that if it were impossible to make alterations reasonably, the Minister should decide, subject to the right of appeal to the law courts. Sir W. Lyne and Mr Belcher thought it better that it Bhould be retrospective. Sir W. Lyne said Australia was not going, without a big struggle, to surrender her right to deal with this matter.

Mr Mills (New Zealand) advised the Minister to exercise discretion where structural alterations were impossible.

Mr Thomson believed the Australian Parliament would meet shipowners reasonably. The matter was adjourned. Sir W. Lyne, interviewed by the Westminster Gazette, warmly defended the Commonwealth Commerce Ajiti-Trust Acts.

The Morning Post says that since it is impossible for a mercantile marine competing with the foreigner throughout the world to generally adopt the 'Australian Standards, the only solution seems to be to make special arrangements for the Australaian portion "W the voyage and coastal trade, Britishers finding ample compensation in the promised preference, which would thus be the basis of colonial policy—domestic and Imperial.

NEW ZEALAND HONORS TO GURU SHIPBUILDERS. Received 7th, 4.36 p.m. London, April G. Sir J. S. Ward attended tli? annual meeting of the Institute of Marine Engineers, and presented Lord Pivrie, Chairman of Harlands and Wolff, the famous Belfast shipbuilders, with a gold badge from the New Zealand Marine IC iHe eulogised Lord Pirrie as a great captain of industry. Sir Joseph also prisented a badge "to Archibald Denny. He declared, as a Colonial representative; that he would do anything t■. make better the link and affccticn°b;' tweea the old and the new world. Mr. A. Hislop expressed the opinion that the Navigation Conference means the improving of the status of British seamen. THE PREFERENCE PROPOSAL. Received 7th, 4.30 p.m. London, Aprii 6. The Spectator declares that the eoi.cessim of preference to British goods will net interfere with the essential principle of (he colonial fiscal sj stems, nam;'/, frotecting their manufacturers from out side competition, but Britaintannot give preference without destroying the principle of her free trade market, subject to revenue duties only. IMPERIAL DELEGATES? ABSTAIN" FROM VOTIXU. Received 7th, 4.30 p.m. London, April 0. Sir W. Lyne's motion also provide 1 that cilicers must be British subjects. Tha In perial t'elegates abstained from voting on the motion. v PREVENTION OF CRIMPING. Received 7th; 5.39 p.m. London, April (i. Sir \\ Lyne, with a view to preventing crimping, moved that no seamen be permitted to engage as able seamen on board any British ship who could not show he was entitled to that rating. Tin motion was amended by the addition of the word 3 "period of sea service Lieinf.' three years," and carried. THE MANNING SCALE. AN ANDIATED DEBATE. SCOPI3 OF CONFERENCE'S POWEIiS. Received 7th, 5.30 p.m. London, April 0. Referring to the adoption of a manning scale for seamen and firemen, Mr. Hill explav.ed that, owing to the enormous incri ■ of labor-saving appliances, a manning scale, based on tonnage, coal consumption, and horse-power would prove a delusion, and act a> .. serious check to the introduction of labor-saving appliaucrs. He opposed a manning scale for ifficers and deck hands, although Australia's right to make a manning scale fir colonial ships was uot questional.

Mr. Hughes contended that the Conference ought to approve of the principle of the manning scale for all British ships. He gave notice of motion ap-provi-13 the adoption of a manning scale for *.ll British ships, thus raising tin question of the scope of the Conference's powers.

Sir W. Lyue proposed no person should be employed as au officer aboard any British ship registered in Australia or engaged on the coastal trade who was i.ot thoroughly conversant with the English language. Tho notion was carried, though M \ Hughes asked that a vote lie not take: until tin; Conference had decided his mottoi regarding the powers of the Conference.

Mr. ith. representing the Board <l' Trad*, vho is chairman, ruled that the Conference was not empowered to discuss v.bat the British rtiereantile mariushould do. Mr. Hughes interjected: "How, then, is it pos&ihlt to secure uniform legislation T 1 Mr. Hughes characterised ns aiuaztj* the declaration of Mr. LloydGeor.js that there was no prospect of any alteration of the British Xa.vigati.>« kaws lor another twelve or twenty jeare. sfr. Smith asked that the awkward question be postponed.

BRTriSIi OWNERS' COXTEXTIOX. Received 7th, (i p.m. London. Af>rit (i. The liiiiisli shipowners contended tliai it yr.ii absolutely impossible, with the Lnited Kingdom's population, to main tain the present mercantile marine \vi;!iout foniguers and J-ascars. Owners were often ignorant of the ports their ships ami thus uuablc to lumpiy with (li 'i rjjent standards :n,.l re.piir.l- - v liicli iim>t net as toll-burs against the British marine, and as bountv to for-igners if the same disal.ilitics were r-ot imposed 011 them. It w.i-, doubtful if the proposed - tion would lie advantageous to Australia, as higher charges for o\ersea tralln would be inevitable if oversea ships wrc compelled to abandon Australian c last.ll trafiie. It would also be iiapi.ssible tu frame a uniform bill of lading.

ACCOMMODATION' FOR SI'A-MK.V. MOD:F.ED PROPOSAL AGREED TO. Received 7th, 0 p.lll. linden, Ainil (i. Respecting tip retrospective eliarai;ter of till! regulation regarding accommodation. ventilation, and oomeiiietics. Sir S. \\ aid tnoved that I lie colonial limit of accommodation should apply to existing vessels, except (hose eases in which ilic is satisfied 11, at structural alterations would be un:va soimbb, the shipowner having the ri"iit in all casts to appeal to law." c Aftc n long discussion, ,1 motion lo' -Norman Hill, representing (he shipowners, was substituted, and carried ~r „ . Titling that Australasiin instead of imposing conditions ii» v „'j v Ktnictmal alterations on v s-els Im-il prior to the enactment, such conditions should I*4*. ixsjiiired rnly in ivi-tlu.. - . eels, which the local authorities eou-iil':r pre .mht althy, and should be I.routV into a sanitary ui-d healthful eo-.ditijn to th? satisfaction of the authoring. Mr. \V. M- Hughest ai'gaetl that t'u