SHIPPING & SEAMEN.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1899, 6 November 1913, Page 4

SHIPPING & SEAMEN.

OWNERS' OBLIGATIONS; UNION COMPANY'S "INFLUENCE." Tho Shipping and Seamen Amendment Bill (the Hon. F. M. B. Fisher) was committed. Mr. A. H. Hindmarsh asked the Minister whether he would accept an amendment to prevent shipping companies from contracting themselves out of their obligations in respect of loss of goods by shipwreck caused through faulty navigation. .On receiving tho Minister's, answer that he could not accept Mr. Hindmarsh's amendment as submitted, Mr. Hindniarsli proceeded to abuso tho Union Company, saying that it exercised altogether too/ much influence —a malign influence—over the House. Tho present law on tho subject, ho said, had been inspired by tho Union Company. All, ho asked was that tho law of this country should bo made the same as the law of England.

The Hon. F. M. B. Fisher stated that ho did not propose to accept Mr. Hindmarsh's amendment, but it was a matter entirely for tho House to dot-ermino whether a condition of affairs should apply to contracts of this sort which did not apply to any other commercial enterprise. ' Tho objectionable clauso was insorted in the Bill upon tho recommendation of a. Parliamentary Committee in 11)02. He.was .bound to admit that tho honourable-gentleman was perfectly right when he said that any person who was tho .unfortunate victim ot shipwreck caused by the negligenco of servants of the employing company would have a legal claim for damages in any part of the British Dominions except iNow Zealand.

Mil. Witty: Why not alter it?

Mr. Fisher: I iiavo no objection to tho Houso altering it. He added that no thought tho point was of great importance, and that it was quite right for the honourablo gentleman to bring it up.

A new clause was added, on the motion of the Minister, to the' effect that no open launch plying for hire, whether propelled by steam or ether motive power, shall carry cargo in tho space reserved for passengers, while such passengers are on board. For breach of this rule the clause prescribed a maximum penalty of £20. Tho clause mot with somo opposition at the hands of membors in whose districts there were launches, on the ground that it was too vague. Tho Minister improved tho form of the clauso, however, and it was agreed to by 50 votes to 11.

Sir. J. G. Coates, for Mr. ;Hindniarsh, moved the new repealing clauso of which Mr. Hindniarsh had spoken earlier. Tho clauso was agreed to on tho voices. On tho motion of Mr. W. H. D 8011, another now clause was passed absolving ships from liability for loss incurred while saving, or attempting to Save, life. Ho also moved another new clause, to limit tho'liability of shipowners to losses for negligent or improper navigation of the ship. This, ho said, would make our law the, same as the law of England. The Minister said ho preferred not to accept the clause out of hand, but ho would be pleased to refer it to the Law Officers.

The clause was defeated on the voices.

The Bill was reported with amendments.

The House rose at 11.50 p.m.