THE MARITIME CONFERENCE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 11 April 1907, Page 3

THE MARITIME CONFERENCE

« PROTECTING AUSTRALASIAN OWNERS. FURTHER RESOLUTIONS.

London, April 9. The colonial delegates refused to accept Mr Hill's rider suggesting 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 lie deemed to be engaged ia the coastal nude. After the Right Hon. D. Lloyd -C-orge (President of the Board of Trade) had consulted the Australasian delegates, the Conference resolved that a vessel

engaged in oversea trade shall not lie deemed to lie engaged in the coasting trade merely because it carries between Australian and New Zealand ports, first, passengers holding through tickets to and from some oversea place, ami, secondly, merchandise consigned on through a bill of lading to and from from some oversea plaices.

The Conference next discussed the question of the limits within which Australian wages regulations are applicable. £>ir 3. G. Ward's motion was carried recognising the right of the Australasian Governments to provide that crews shipped from Australia and Xew Zealand to Fiji and the Pacific Islands shall receive such wages as their respective Governments have fixed. Sir Josep'n Ward contended that Australasian steamship owners wtere entitled to be protected, and that it would be unfair to them and their officers and seamen if other Bhips were allowed to compete by paying lower wages. Sir W. Lyne argued that crews picked up in Australasian ports by foreign ships trading to the Islands ought to come under the Australasian wages conditions.

Mr. Hughes strongly urged the application of Australian conditions to any vessel trading from the Commonwealth to Fiji and the Pacific Islands. The Colonial Office legal delegates question the Commonwealth's right to apply Australian condition to oversea .vessels touching an Australian port and then proceeding to Fiji. Sir W, Lvne said the legal decision referring to the breaking of sealed stores outside territorial waters, and fining the vessel at the next Australian port of call, had not settled the question.

Sir J. G. Ward gave notice to urge the British Government to secure recognition of the Commonwealth's and New Zealand's right of representation ion the Suez Canal Council. Sr J. G. Ward also moves that the British, Commonwealth, and New Zealand Governments be askfcl to legislatve to give effect to the Conference resolutions. LICENSES TO BE ISSUED FOR ' COASTAL TRADE. DEBATE ON PROPOSED UNIVERSAL MANNING SCALE. Received 10th, 11.25 p.m. London, April 10. The Navigation Conference resolved that no ships shall trade on the Australian coast without a license. The Colonial Office suggested that licenses might take the form of a tax sufficient to prove a serious handicap. Mr. Hughes explained that the Royal Commission entertained no such intention, but only proposed to charge a small fee to cover official expenses. Discussion was re-opened on Sir J. <!. Ward's motion respecting the right of Australasian Governments to fix the wages of crews shipped iu the Commonwealth and New Zealand for Fiji anl the Pacific Islands.

Mr. Hill agreed that the Colonies could exercise jurisdiction in their territorial waters, hat he was unable to entertain extension of the principle beyond. Sir W Lyne desired a line of demarcation indicating what was within the coastal trade of the Commonwealth ami New Zealand.

Mr. Lloyd-George remarked that since the proposal was really an alteration of the Colonial Constitution, it would be preferal'h if the resolution were referred to the Colonial Conference.

Sir .Joseph Ward accepted tlie suggestion, adding that it wan very desirable to protect Colonial shipowners against unfair competition from outside, Mr. Lloyd-George explained that lie had not expected his remarks to Ik' taken literally. lie only meant to indicate the difficulty of legislating.

Mr. Hughes moved that (he Conference appiovcs (he principle of a manning scale applicable to all vessels registered in the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.

An interesting discussion resulted, (lie Board of Trade expert incidentally reTealing that the Department insisted on a certain minimum of officers and crew before recognising a vessel as seaworthy. Mr. Thomson insisted that it was necessary to produce an equitable manning scale. Mr. Kughes suggested the (word missing) ot competitors who did not comply ■with the Colonial law. A BASIS AGBEED UI'O-V. ENCOURAGEMENT TO BRITISH SEA MEN. Received 10th, 11.25 p.m. London, April 9. Mr. Lloyd-George ruled Mr. Hughes' motion out of order, that Australian conditions be applied to all ships engaged in trading to or from any port in the Commonwealth and the Islands of the Pacific.

Sir. Hughes thereupon raised the question ol the scope of the Conference, claiming that the Hon. A. Lytteltons invitation contemplated a Conference with very wide powers. How was it possibl; to secure uniform legislation when the President indicated there womd be no fresh Imperial Navigation Bill for many years. If that was so, uniformity was only possible by restricting the freedom of Colonial legislation, and the appointment of a committee lo adjust anomalies. Sir \V. Lync said he thought the previous resolutions secured to Australians what they wanted. Thj shipowners contended that as ellicient n.anning was one element of sc iworthiness, every ship ought to be judged on its own merits. At Mr. Lloyd-George's suggestion. Mr. Hughes motion was amended on the line) of the clause in original Commonwealth Bill, that no ship be deemed seaworthy unless it is in a state, regarding the number and qualifications of the civ-.v, including officers', to encounter an ordinary v l'ilous voyage. This was carried. Sir Joshp Ward moved, recommending the Board of Trade, in any amendment of the Shipping Act, to give masters, lmitei, and engineers their designation as oiticers, without prejudice to any rights they enjoy as seamen. The motion •*!'" unanimously carried. Sir \Y. Lvne moved that every |r>--H ible encouragement be given by legislation X* otherwise to the employment r.j British seamen in British ships, in j.rcferen'j; t< foreigners. Mr. Lloyd-George suggested it would be better "to omit the last four words, since it involved att International question. 'ihe suggestion was accented, an I the resolution carried witli the addition of the words "the resolution does not contemplate the imposition of restrictive conditions.'' Mr. linghes insisted on a clear undeistanding of the Commonwealth'* right to uv.'ke such restriction, if Parliament thought lit, to all ships registered in. or trading within the Commonwealth. The jurisdiction was not limited. Mr. Lloyd-George thought the resolution only implied possible Imperial action to enlarge the employment of seamen by means of subsidies, and incentives ti Shipowners to employ eppr-u tices. a.

Sit' Joseph Ward moved. reeomemn-Ii )u' Board of Trade to publish -.i form of Hill of Ladmg safeguarding the rights shippers, shipowners. and consigners. uns <mrried. and Mr. Hill's amendments lhat legislation restricting liberty of contract Sst- on charter parties and llilb of Lmlms "*■ was iu necessary and undesirable. was defca'e.l on a *\ote, the Imperial delegates abstaining from voting. Sir J. 0. Ward, in deference to Mr. JJovd-t.coige's suggestion, withdrew- .!• Suez Canal Council resolution, in vie, of introducing it iu ITip Colonial On: ference after consiiltation v.iih Mr Deak'ii. ,

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