RISKS DURING WAR.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13644, 11 July 1908, Page 5

RISKS DURING WAR.

PROTECTION FOR COMMERCE. Hress -AssociatVpn-Bv Telegraph-Copyright , LONDON, Jnlv 9. The Treasury CommMee ' appointed, in 1906 under the chairmanship of Mr Austen. Chamberlain .to inquire into the war risks of shipping, reports thatl it is unable to recommend -the adoption- of any form of national guarantee against war rislns to shipping: and maritime trade except that provided by the, maintenance of a powerful navy. . > v Sir CI. Sydenham Clarke's separate me-, morandum contends that the protection of commerce depends, iiliiniately on the battle fleet-., : It - expresses a strong belief' in modern naval maritime conditions !ind sjfys it is eai-ier. to commerqe than formerly.

• THE MERCANTILE ■ MARINE. OPINIONS OF ; EXPERTS.: LONDON, July 9. Sir G-. Sydenham Clarke saw tlie chairman's draft report on war shippingirie-ks but was unable to,.concur with, it on all poijits. He considers that/-fctaie ac-t-ion- is necereaiy. ••••• He- believes ,that, an exaggeration of. war risks might, by imposing a serious check upon the operations of - the mercantile marine, <-r,tail a grave national danger. ' If the. fit a rej during;, the -early' "period of hostilities, can succeed in steadying insurance rates until they rest upon a reasonable" basis-, it will, ajttaia all that ( is necessary. An over of the risk is more to be feared than actual capture, which with an adequate;, navy, should, not rea.ch dimensions constituting, a public- danger. Sir 0. Sydenhamj.Clarke Jiolds .that.. it is tbsolutely• impossible l-jr: the State .to ■ set up an Insurance Departments r.t tho outret..of a war. He advocates a system of indemnity. at fixed rates and suggests that the State should lav down » sriie,dule; of rates-corresponding to zones of voyages, whereby vessels and -cargo proceeding from London to Aus?.r:ilia w( uld be charged. per cent, via Suez and per cent., wiii the Capis. .Captain Charles Otley signed, tlie report with- the reservation -that it --1* t "uld be very regrettable -if -"liability: to recommend'. State action 1 o-day should 1 e regarded .as definite proof of: the . usele;i?'nesg •or . impracticability, of any future scheme of ..rational-.. g^rantee.'....