\.—sa.

14

REPORT OK PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONFERENCE

deal with next time, it would be an advantage to most of us. There are the questions of certificates, surveys, food, accommodation, ventilation, and manning. I think there will be considerable delay unless we know beforehand what we mean to discuss. Sir WILLIAM LYNE : I don't think myself the toints we have been discussing will take much longer to eal with. Hon. DUGALD THOMSON : As regards the Royal Commission Report, could a memorandum be made as to the points to which exception is taken ? I think it would be a great convenience, and it would certainly facilitate matters. The CHAIRMAN : The shipowners have circulated a document which rather takes that form, I think. Hon. DUGALD THOMSON : There is a summary of that report which is very concise, and if it is made use of as the basis for a list of the proposals to which objection is taken, or which it is thought desirable to alter, it would be a great convenience, and it would be known what we had to consider, as regards Australia. Sir WILLIAM LYNE : Have the shipowners had a copy of the summary ?

Mb. NORMAN HILL : Yes, we have had that. Sib WILLIAM LYNE : Those are the main points that will probably be discussed, as far as we are concerned. The CHAIRMAN : And I understand the shipowners have based their Memorandum pretty much on that summary. Sir WILLIAM LYNE : Yes, and if they take that summary, and side by side raise their objections to it, it would be useful. Hon W. M. HUGHES : Do you propose to do anything with regard to the summary ? Because there are some of our summarised recommendations that don't, and can't, concern this Conference at all, and those need not be put in, or if they be put in it can't be for any useful purpose. If you are agreeable, they will send you on those recommendations that affect Imperial shipping. There are some things which do not concern you. For instance, the Sea Carriage of •Goods Act. Mr. LLEWELLYN SMITH : Yes, that is just one thing that wants discussing. (The Conference adjourned to Thursday, the 4th April, at 11 a.m.)