DISCHARGE OF OIL BY SHIPS

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21244, 16 August 1934, Page 12

DISCHARGE OF OIL BY SHIPS

j lIAIOI DON)) TO SKAIiJ UDS i . •;;« : .*1 u> : : El.;-: . ::am.: WELLINGTON, AtiKust 15. In the House of Hop* csenlatives. Mr • I!. G. K. Mason 'Lab., Auckland Suburbs'* asked the Minister for Marine whether he had noticed recent newtpaper references to the damage done to seabirds by the discharge of oil outside territorial waters, and whether he would promote legislation to remedy this mischief, which had been left outside the scope of the legislation by very incomplete advice, or a misconception as to the extent to which the authority of the Parliament of New Zealand could be made to extend? The Hon. J. G. Cobbe replied: "The reports referred to have been perused and recorded in the Marine Department. The Government is advised that there is al present no constitutional oower to enact legislation to prevent the discharge of oil from vessels outside territorial waters. The Oil in Territorial Waters Act. !!)26, prohibits the discharge of oil into territorial waters, and this .legislation is very strictly administered; but it is admittedly insuflicient effectively to cope with the evil. "The matter, which is a very important one, has engaged the attention of the Imperial and other governments. with a view to completing an international agreement, on the subject. The Government was quite recently advised that endeavours were being made to have it discussed at the next Assembly of the League of Nations, with a view to taking appropriate preventive steps. The Government recognises the importance and seriousness of the question, and will be glad to co-operate with other governments in any remedial or preventive measures' which may be agreed upon."