LAWS EVADED

Evening Post, Issue 156, 3 July 1936, Page 9

LAWS EVADED

BY FOREIGN SHIPPING

A DIFFICULT PROBLEM

The advisability of revising the Merchant Marine Shipping Act to prevent the evasion of the regulations by foreign vessels was discussed at the annual meeting in London of the . ssociation of British Chambers of Commerce, says the "Daily Telegraph." A resolution was moved by Lt.-Col. J. Sandeman Allen urging a review and revision of the Act, with special reference to the regulation of the storage of grain cargoes and the penalties attaching to any infringements. He pointed out that, as matters stood, foreign vessels came to-Britain without adhering to the regulation. These ships often preferred to risk being fined £100 rather than incur the cost of complying with the regulation Seconding, Mr. T. Edward Leschor (Liverpool) declared that MerseysHc was united on the matter. The question should not be allowed to drag on as it was at present by the Board of Trade. Sir Alan Anderson said that they were all in sympathy and understood the difficulty. It was, however, a very technical matter, and it was doubtful whether they should impinge on the work of the technical organisations of shipping. It did not require a revision of the Act. The Board of Trade had power to impose what penalties it wished: It might require a change of regulations, but not a revision of the Act. He suggested that the executive council should be asked to go into matters with the technical organisations concerned. MUST BE SURE. Mr. S. E. Bealc, the president, said that it was obvious that the meeting wanted to pass the resolution, but they must be sure that their facts were right. . It was agreed to refer the matter to the executive council. A resolution was moved by Mr C E. Worthington on behalf of the Lo;l cester Chamber, recommending that the present policy of quotas for agricultural products should be abandoned, and that duties on imports with considerable Empire preferences should be imposed. Mr. Worthington pointed out that they were not pressing for a very high level of duties. What was required was that every foreign exporter should pay for the right to sell in our markets. The resolution was referred back to chambers to ascertain their views Mr. E. Shaw Brdwn (Nottingham) moved a resolution drawing attention to the serious condition, of agriculture I and urging the Government to make a declaration of its long-term policy as soon as possible, especially as affecting beef and milk production. The meeting referred the resolution to the executive council, who would get in touch with the Chamber of Agriculture and the National Farmers' Union and try to frame a policy. The same course was taken regarding a resolution of the Agricultural Marketing Acts. A resolution moved by Lord Dcsborough urging the adoption of a fixed date for Easter and of a.perpetual Jtwel^months-calendar was carried,