A—sa

80

FIFTH DAY.

Tuesday, 9th April, 1907

The following were present: The Right Hon. D. Li.oyd-Georhe. M.P. (President of the Board of Trade), in tin- Chair. United Kingdom Delegates. Mr. H. Li.eweii.yn Smith, C.8.,| Mr. K. Anderson, Mr. Walter •). Howell, C.8., [Of the Board of Mr. Robert J. Dunlop, Captain A. J. G. Ch.lmers, Trade. Mr. 11. F. Keiinie, Shipowners. Mr R. Ellis Cunliffe, J Mr. Norman Hill, Mr. 11. Bertram Cox, C.8., |n, ~ r . . , nff . ; Mr. E. Pembroke, Mr. A. B. Keith, | ut tne Uolo _ llal umcc - | Mr. J. Havelook Wilson, M.P., representing Seamen. Australian Delegates. Hon. Sir W. J. Lyne, K.C.M.G. I Hon. Dugald Thomson. Hon. W. M. HriiiiFs. Dr. 11. N. W'cii.i.A.sriiN. LL. I)., 1.5.0., of the Australian Commonwealth Department of Trade and Customs, was also in attendance. New Zealand Delegates. Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, K.C.M.G. I Mr. A. R. Hislop. Mr. William Belcher. | Mr. James Mills. Dr. Fitchett, Solicitor-General of New Zealand, was also in attendance. Si iretaries. Mr. J. A. Webster, )n, ~ T > , . T , I Mr. J. Hislop, Private Secretary to Sir J. Ward. Mr. G. E. Baker, \ w tne uoara ot lraae | Mr. D. J. Quinn, Private Secretary to Sir W. Lyne.

AGENDA. 1. Applicability of Australian and New Zealand conditions as to wages. Motion by Sir Joseph Ward "that this Conference recognises that the Australian and New Zealand Governments have the: right to make provision that the crews shipped in the Commonwealth or New Zealand for Fiji and the- Pacific Islands he at such rates of wages as those countries elect to fix." Motion by Mr. Hughes " that Australian conditions should apply to all ships engaged in trading to and from any port in the Commonwealth and the Islands of the Pacific." -. Manning. Motion by Mr. Hughes " that this Conference approves of the principle of a manning scale applicable to all British, Australian, and New Zealand ships." 3. Officers. Motion by Sir Joseph Ward " that it be a recommendation to the Board of Trade to conside-r the desirability of altering the designation ef ' officers and engineers' under the term 'seamen' in the Imperial Merchant Shipping Act to that cf ' officers r.rvel engineers.' " 4. British and Foreign Seamen. Motion by Sir William Lyne "that every possible encouragement should be given by legislation and otherwise to the employment of British seamen in preference to foreigners." Motion by Mr. Belcher " that this Confe rcnec is opposed to the employment of Lascars, Coolies, Chinamen, or persons of any other alien race on any vessels owned, registered, or chartered to trade in the Commonwealth or New Zealand." 5. Bills of Lading Legislation. Motion by Sir Joseph Ward "that the terms and conditions of the b : ll of lading at present in general use are in many respects unsatisfactory to shippers and consignees, and that in the interest of traders generally it is desirable that the Board cf Trade should publish a form of bill of lading containing such reasonable conditions as in its opinion are sufficient to safeguard the rights of shipper, shipowner, and consignee." 6. Brussels Conventions as to Collisions and Salvage. 7. Eyesight 'Tests. Motion by Sir Joseph Ward " tin l the Hoard of Trade be urged to take into immediate consideration the question of eyesight tests with a view to imposing a higher standard of efficiency than at present required." 8. Payment of Seamen's Wages. Motion by Mr. Belcher " that it be a recommendation from this Conference to the Board of Trade to suggest that legislation be introduced whereby all seamen be paid their full wages at every port where the crew may desire the wages to be paid." • 9. Representation on Governing Body of Suez Canal. Motion by Sir Joseph Ward "that in vieew of the large and steadily increasing volume cf trade to and from Australia and New Zealand by way of the Suez Canal, those dependencies are entitled to direct representation on the Council of Administration of the Canal, and that the Imperial Government be requested to endeavour to obtain this,"