POLLUTING THE SEA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22744, 3 December 1935, Page 9

POLLUTING THE SEA

OIL DISCHARGE FROM SHIPS MITIGATING THE HARM (British Official Wireless) RUQBY, November 30. The initiative of the British Government at Geneva in July, 1034, to secure international action regarding the pollution of the sea by oil discharge was carried a step further yesterday, when the,League Secretariat published a draft convention on the subject, by which the parties agree in respect of all sea-going vessels, other than naval vessels, carrying crude oil or Diesel oil in bulk as cargo, or as fuel for boilers or engines, to make all discharge by such vessels of oil or oily mixtures within an established zone. The committee of Experts which prepared the draft, in an accompanying report, urges that the conference called' to conclude a convention should also recommend to shipowners that separators should be fitted on new vessels wherever practicable. At the last Assembly several delegations joined with the British in pressin" for early action to mitigate harm to fishing, the danger to harbours, damage to, tourist interests, and destruction of bird life, for which oil pollution is responsible.