NAVIGATION CONFERENCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8408, 24 April 1907, Page 5

NAVIGATION CONFERENCE.

Received April 23, 9.27 p.m. LONDON, April 23. The Navigation Conference has resumed its sitting. Sir William Lyne moved that compulsory insurance for seamen is desirable. He thought the Government ought to pay half the premiums. Mr Hughes thought that Australian people would object to pay. Ultimately, at the instance of Sir Joseph Ward, and Messrs Hughes and Dugald Thompson, a motion was adopted recpmmending the Commonwealth to extend the benefits of the Workmen's Compensation Act to seamen as was already done in the United Kingdom and New Zealand. The shipowners dissented, but approved of the British Department scheme of compulsory insurance recommended in 1904. Sir William Lyne proposed that the North Atlantic mark apply to a ship leaving Australia via Cape Horn. The Board of Trade expert considered that this: was unnecessary as steamers leaving Australia were lightened by two feet through coal consumption before reaching the storm area. At Mr Thompson's suggestion, a resolution was carried that the Commonwealth adopt the provisions of the New Zealand Act regarding the load line. The Imperial delegates abstained from voting, believing that the decision rested with the colonial Governments. Sir William Lyne withdrew his motion for a. light load line for ships in ballast when the Board of Trade announced that the House of .Lords Committee in 1903 reported it as unnecessary. Sir William Lyne said that Australia could deal with the matter if necessary. Mr Hughes concurred. The Conference admitted that Australia possessed the authority to provide that all seamen should be engaged through the Government offices and also to abolish advance notes and restrict the allotment of votes to relations.

Received April 23, 11.9 p.m. LONDON, April 23

Sir William Lyne did-not press his motion insisting that all vessels constructed after a certain date should be fitted with watertight compartments when the conference admitted that it was purely a local matter, with Commonwealth jurisdiction. Sir William withdrew his motion for the compulsory fitting of large steamers with wireless telegraphy, accepting Mr Thompson's motion that the Board of Trade and the Australian and New Zealand Governments should consider the desirability of provision for wireless telegraphy on board passenger ships. Mr Thompson's motion was carried. Sir William Lyne's motion in favour of affording third-class en gineers facilities to qualify for higher grade certificates was, not pressed, on the Board of Trade promising to consider what relief was possible.