DAYLIGHT NAVIGATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 September 1918, Page 3

DAYLIGHT NAVIGATION.

PREJUDICIAL EFFECT ON SHIPPING'

The question of daylight navigation in certain defined areas, owing to the, presence of enemy mines in New Zealand', waters, was discussed at last night'» meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, on; a letter from the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, which stated that at the request of the New Zealand Shipowners' Federation the chamber had been asked to communicate with the various chambers the trade of whose district is affected by the restriction that Cook Strait shall be navigated in daylight, A circular was enclosed, intimating that arrangements had been made' for representatives of various bodies to meet at Wellington on September 16, prior to a deputation waiting upon Cabinet. It was pointed out that shipowners were unable to navigate those defined areas in daylight, and were not able to undertake the financial responsibilities which might be placed upon them by risking navigation in the dark. It was therefore proposed to urge upon the Government that additional trawlers be provided to sweep the minefields and reduce the danger as far as possible; also that, in order to facilitate the trade of the ports affected, the Government be asked to arrange insurance against all war risk at such rates as can be paid by shippers and shipowners, and should indemnify shipowners against claims at common law for the loss of cargo, passengers or crew . owing to the action of enemy mines; also I that tests be instituted to ascertain the direction of currents, and, if possible, restrict the danger area. The chairman stated that the matter was a serious one, and affected the port of New Plymouth. He did not understand why daylight navigation should be insisted upon in New Zealand waters, and not in English waters, where there must be infinitely more enemy mines than about New Zealand. Moreover, it meant additional expense to the shipping companies, and it was certain that at least a proportion of that expense of that expense would be passed on to the public. It was a costly matter for boats to have to stand idle for hours after completing their work at a port, in order to wait for daylight. It was particularly hard on the small boats trading from Wellington to the west coast of New Zealand. He pointed out that freights would be increased, and also that the trouble was not likely to cease immedij ately the war ended.

A discussion ensued, in which, although it was admitted that the announcement of the Government Naval Adviser was not a compulsory order, the risk of disregarding it was more than the companies were prepared to accept. It was eventually decided that if a member of the chamber was in Wellington at the time of the conference he shall be given authority to attend, and support the proposals to be made to the Government.