NAVIGATION CONFERENCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8389, 28 March 1907, Page 5

NAVIGATION CONFERENCE.

Received March 27, 9.20 p.m. LONDON, March 27. The Navigation Conference opened at the Foreign Office to-day. Mr Lloyd-George, President of the Board of Trade, presided, and welcomed the delegates. He explained the objects of the conference. He said that although the Motherland moved slower than the colonies yet she had moved verj fast last year in the Merchant Shipping and Workmen's Compensation Acts, which anticipated many of the recommendations of the Australian Koyal Com : mission.notably improving the amenities of life at sea. He emphasised the desirableness of uniformity it shipping legislation. The only difficulty was finding a standard embodying a practicable arrangement which would be acceptable to all parties. Sir Joseph Ward acknowledged the kindly welcome that had been accorded the delegates. He said that sprightly youth enabled the colonies to avoid the legislative mistakes of the Old Country and enabled them j to move faster. New Zealand rightly claimed a share in the internal \ working of the Empire's laws. He realised the stupendous difficulty of framing legislation applicable to the merchant shipping world. He felt sure that the practical result of the conference would be the better protection of shipowners and seamen. He hoped New Zealand's Act would be a basis for any suggested improvements to the Imperial laws. New Zealand would accept nq retrogression, but would be willing to adopt improvements. Sir William Lyne (Australia) said that the Conference rendered it easier to understand the difficulties and find a solution. While desirous of recognising the interests of the Imperial Government and the British shipowners, he felt bound to state Jhat due regard must be paid to the different conditions in Australia, where the rate of payment to sea- | men was much higher. He referred to Australia's extensive coastline. Australia asked that British vessels trading on the coast should accept local conditions, and also held strong views with regard to the employment of coloured seamen. Sir William Lyne analysed the provision of the New Zealand Act and the latest British Act and also the Australian Bill of 1907. The recommendations of the Royal Commission drew pointed attention to the New Zealand Act which contained nearly all the Commonwealth was asking. The Britis h I Act also went a considerable way, though not as far as Australia hoped and intended to go. Britain had already made a great advance with regard to airspace for seamen in vessels, wages,, and. other points for improving seamen's conditions. Australia was specially determined regarding wages, the employment of coloured seamen, and the improvement of the general condition of seamen.