PILLAGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 235, 5 October 1927, Page 4

PILLAGE.

HEAVY MARINE LOSSES. WORST IN AUBTRALIA. METAL SEALS COMMENDED. For some time past representatives of the various interests in the Australian and New Zealand trades have been giving attention to the large sums which have been expended on claims for pillaged and shortlanded cargo. • A committee consisting of represents- £**• ahipowners, Merchants' Associations, Chambers of Commerce, Protection and Indemnity Associations has been sit* Wig in London and closely investigating tne position. The report of the committee jjist made available states that it is dimtult .to arrive at what is the full amount of the losses because they are borne:— (a) By the shipowners who have to pay the claims. (b) By the .underwriters who insure against :this risk, and from whom no figures bflre beat obtained. (c) By merchants who discover pillage when it is too late to claim on the ship, and have not covered the risk by insurance. Nevertheless, certain- outstanding facts have evolved: Shipowners engaged in the Australian; trade nave paid in claims over a period of three years not v less than £170,000. On 110 steamers the amount paid in claims on cargo shipped from the United Kingdom and. Europe was £11,130, averaging 2/2 per ton of "piQageable" cargo carried. - r . - .• The amount paid for pfllaged and shortlanded cargo by nine Knes amounted in . ■ 1024 to £41,728 .1925 to £50,154 1020 to £42,808 Figures supplied by one line engaged in the Australian and other trades show conclusively that the pilage \pn the Australian trade is greater than in other directions. One 01. the-protection said indemnity associations reports that in three yeass 80 per cent of the total round voyage cargo daims have arisen in the Australian, and New Zealand trade, leaving 90 per eent to cover the claim* id SB other trades, the 80 per cent being divided:—oo pft cent on Australian and 30 per cent on 5?? in of the fact tut > only 50 vessels were exclusively engaged in the', Australian and New Zealand trade out of 742 vesssls entered in the association. m at £7000. The committee was informed that merchanta who have adopted the use of metal Mais on joints of their case boards h *r >f< ? ad lossss from Village greatly reaucea. .->■ It suggested that the London eommittee sbould remsin in existsnce. This suggestion has boss adopted so fsir as London is concm-ned, and steps have been take* to gre. effect to it in Australia and New