PRIZE COURTS

New Zealand Times, 12 September 1907, Page 5

PRIZE COURTS

SUGGESTED COMPOSITION OF THE BENCH.

By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright. THE HAGUE, September 10. It was suggested at the Peace Conference that fifteen judges should constitute the Bench of International Prize Courts, eight great Powers always to be represented, the other thirty-eight Powers to substitute judges according to a scheme of rotation. The great ‘-Powers insist that- they are the most probable belligerente, and most likely to lose by supporting an institution of international jurisdiction. PROPOSALS AGREED TO. (Received September 11,10.30 p.m.) THE HAGUE, September 11. The First Sub-Committee at the Peace Convention, by twenty-six votes to two (with fourteen abstentions, including Japan and (Russia) adopted the proposals for a-n International Prize Court and the distribution of judges. Japan’s representatives declared that the subject required careful consideration, ns the new institution must necessarily influence national jurisdiction. Russia’s abstention was based on the incomplete nature of legislation relating to prizes and the necessity -of further consideration, particularly of. article 7, which declares that the Court must judge according to any* convention between the parties concerned, and according. to the general principles of justice and equity should the rules of national law not apply. Delegates are delighted at the creation of the Prize Court after so many initial difficulties.