TRANSFER OF VESSELS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 4, 29 January 1909, Page 2

TRANSFER OF VESSELS.

SUBJECT m ENIJUJKY. By Telegraph.—Press xlssomUun. I Auckland, Thursday, it is stated that as tin* result of New Zealand shipowners being ha rassud by shipping laws and unable to compete with Australian-owned tonnage, all the principal sailing shipowners are transferring their vessels to the Australian register. This mean* that the Dominion is losing the credit of owning thousands of tons of shipping, while dot-king, surveys and repairs will lie done in Australia. Mr. U. T. Niecol'a sailers havo already been transferred, while the J. J. Craig line is to be transferred to the Sydney register.

THE MARINE DKPAKTMENT'S j, EXPLANATION. v Wellington, Last Night. t In connection with the telegram from i; Auckland concerning the transfer of sailing vessels from the New Zealand to | the Australian register, enquiries made i at the -Marine Department showed that i there was 110 information of any move < than one Auckland linn proposing to transfer its vessels to an Australian register. Wellington is not affected, as there is but little if any sailing tonnage ■on the local register. In Aiuckiland there are more sailing vessels belonging ,to that port than to any other m the Dominion. The objection raised b\ Auckland owners to New Zealand legislation would probably be to the provisions regarding the minimum crew, employment of boys, d'ei-k cargo, and the workers' compensation for sicklied and accident legislation, which applies to maritime employment as well a- to shore work. UegUtiy in the Commonwealth would, however, bar a vessel trading in New Zealand between const port and eoa«.i port, say from 1 lie Kaipara to Wellington, ou the Australian | rates of pay if they were lower than those of New Zealand. The passing of a Commonwealth Navigation Bill would, however, put New Zealand owners registering in the Cimmionwealth 011 much about the same footing as they are already with regard to payment of wages, equipment, minimum crew to bo carried, and other provisions in the New Zealand law.