THE MARITIME CONFERENC

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 12 April 1907, Page 3

THE MARITIME CONFERENC

QUESTION OF COLORED LABOII. COLONIES AND INULA. CONFLICT. THE UNION COMPANY EULUGISED. Kece.ved Uth, 9.48 p.m. ■ . London, March 11. The Navigation Conference considered the International Convention adopted at Brussels ia l'Jjo for unification 01 ate law vcyaiUiii- collisions and :-u 1 \ ;i 1 r \ The subject was adjourned to enable W. Lyne and Sir J. G. Ward to submit .suggestions, the Imperial Government having withheld adhesion until the colonics had beon eonsiuicil. Mr Belcher moved that t!ie Conference was oppostd to the employment of Lasears, coolies. Chinamen or persons of any alien race on any vessel owned oi chartered to trade in "the Commonwealth and New Zealand. This aim w.is to keep the Asiatic blot off Australasia. Sir James llaekay, on behalf of the India Office, explained that it was impossible to consider legislation excluding Lascars from the British maritime marine and was a great rellection upon a hundred million loyal, sober and industrious British subjects. If the proposal were adopted, it would piace Australian vessels trading to India and the East under serious disabilities. Sir W. the motion, ® r g>ng that the stoking difficulty was exaggerated. What the white stokers of the navy accomplish in 'the tropics, others could do in trading vessels. Sir J. G. Ward said he believed it was in the interests of the Empire to employ white crews. The Government of New Zealand never subsidise steamers carrying other than whites. He euiogised the Union Company's spontaneous J response to New Zealand law. j

Mr. Hughes said that at any rate the objection of the India Office could not be applied to Chinese and other colored aliens. Mr. Cox, of the Colonial Office., recalled Mr. Chamberlain's despatch, protesting against the drawing of n t-olor line, and sugge-ting other means of attaining the end desired. _ Mr. Hughes retorted that the imposition of the general education test create! the calumny that Australia .wished to exclude whites, Mr. Hughes objected to any discrimination regarding accommodation and general conditions between colored and white seamen.

Though the Conference was not unfavorable to this, the Imperial delegates objected, and the suggestion was not pressed. * Mr. Belcher suggested to substitute "colored labor" instead of Lascars, coolies, and Chinamen. Ultimately the motion was withdrawn. Sir J. E. Ward's motion, urging the Board of Trade to give immediate consideration to improvement of the eyesight test, was carried, also Jlr. Anderson's motion making the Board of Trade's current certificate of efficiency of compasses equivalent to a local certificate.

Mr. Belcher moved that the Board of Trade be requested to legislate whereby all seamen be paid full wages due in any port the crew desire. It was agreed to substitute "two-thirds" for "full.'' Sir W. Lyne supported. Mr. Lloyd-George moved tliat the Conference approve the proposition of .the Meichant Shipping Act, 21)00, respecting the allotment and pavnient of seamen's wages. The Imperial delegates, representatives of British shipowners, and seamen, and Mr. Thomson voted for the amendment, and th» Colonial delegates, excepting Mr Thomson, dissented from the amendment, and accepted Mr. Belcher's motion.

Mr. Belcher moved that the Board of Trade investigate clauses attached by shipowners to the articles of agreement signed by crews. His object was to secure uniformity, and establish a principle of equity between employer and employed. The Imperial shipping and seamen's delegates opposed, being satisfied with the present law, and the motion was withdrawn. The Conference has adjourned till Mon Uy week. Sir W Lyne declares he' is"absolulely satisfied. The Conference had accoinplish'd a great deal more than he expected, and practically secured ail the colonics required.