THE EMPRESS ENQUIRY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 136, 15 July 1914, Page 7

THE EMPRESS ENQUIRY.

COMMENT ON THE VERDICT.

" ADEQUATE AND INTELLIGENT."

LONDON, July 13

"The Times," in a leader on the Empress of Ireland verdict, says it offers an adequate and intelligent explanation of the disaster. That it is attributed to human error is satisfactory, because it does not leave an obscure and unexplained danger overhanging vessels navigating the St. Lawrence, and disposes of the suspicion that there were 1007 deaths through deliberate wrongdoing and neglect, due to base motives. An error of judgment io no crime, and Mr Tuftness will meet with more sympathy than condemnation. THE STORSTAD'S OFFICERS. QUESTION OF PUNISHMENT. OTTAWA, July 14. As 1 Norwegians own the Storstad, it is impossible for the Canadian Government or the Mersey Commission to punish the iirst and third officers. The legal authorities have decided that they cannot jjrosecute the officers criminally, j but it is understood that legislation will j be undertaken in the next session of Parliament to make officers of for-j eign steamers amenable to Canadian! Jiws whenever lives are' lost. I

The Canadian-Pacific Company's legal representative has been instructed to proceed immediately against the Storstad's owners to recover damages for 11? - loss of the Empress of Ireland. The Canadian-Pacific Company claim that Lord Mersey 's decision has relieved them from the responsibility of paying damages to the relatives of those drowned ami the injured passenger?.

CAPTAIN KENDALL'S PROMOTION

GIVEN A SHORE APPOINTMENT

(Received July 15, 12.45 p.m.) OTTAWA,. July 14. *

The Canadian-Pacific Company announces that Captain Kendall will rereive promotion, and be given a shore appointment, owing to the severe strain recently having affected his health.