Question Of Payments On Marine Disasters

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31862, 14 December 1968, Page 48

Question Of Payments On Marine Disasters

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, December 13. The Minister of Marine (Mr Scott) told Parliament today that he hoped action would be taken, next year to correct the present liability limitations in cases of compensatory payments to victims of marine disasters.

The Minister, during debate] on the first reading of the I Shipping and Seamen Amend-, ment (No. 2) Bill, agreed; with Dr A. M. Finlay (Lab..| Waitakerei that a review of the present compensatory regulations was needed—and] he was hopeful something! would be done about it next year.

Although this issue was not i covered by the bill, which was i introduced in Parliament today, the Minister said the matter was being studied by the Law Reform Committee as (well as Government sources. ■ The bill was given a first reading and a second reading pro forma, and referred to the Labour and Mining Committee for consideration during the summer recess. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Kirk) also raised the question of safety regulations consequent on the recent series of shipping disasters along the New Zealand coast, referring in particular to the

Kaitawa, Wahine. arid Mara-i nui sinkings. Mr Kirk considered the i committee hearing would be all “golden opportunity” for] I study of the reports of the it various sinkings with a viewli to amending, if necessary, cur-', rent maritime safety regulations. I Mr Scott said that members ; of the committee would be ; welcome to question officers of the various courts of inquiry on matters contained in ’ reports.