SHIPOWNERS’ LIABILITY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIV, 24 March 1921, Page 5

SHIPOWNERS’ LIABILITY

IN V ESTIG ATI ON COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATIONS (By Electric IBeJegxaph—'Copyright;) (Australian & N.Z, Cable Association) LONDON, March 22. The Imperial Shipping Committee on the limitation of. shipowners’ liability and bills of lading recommends uniform legislation throughout the Empire on the linos of the existing Act, dealing with shipowners’ .liability, but based more precisely on the Canadian Water Carriage of Goods [Act, 1910, subject to further provisions in regard to exceptional eases : in which goods arc allowed to bo carried at owner’s risk, also the precise definition of the physical limits of the shipowners’ liability, also fixing the maximum value of packages which tho shipowners should be liable to pay. The Commit tee recommends the Canadian Act in preference to the !Harter Act, which it closely resembles I because-the former embodies the latest experience. The Committee recommends that questions of appeals I involved should he referred to an Ini- | porial board. Tho establishment of such a body is most desirable, even if it is endowed with advisory powers only. Tho Committee finds a uniform bill of lading is impossible owing to varying conditions, hut a very considerable degree of uniformitj’ might 'be obtained’in each homogeneous 1 trade.