A.—6

satisfaction that there is good prospect of the general adoption of these rules throughout the Empire, and also welcomes the progress which has been made towards the achievement of international uniformity upon the basis of these rules." Conventions relating to Limitation of Shipowners' Liability and to Maritime Mortgages and Liens —The object of the Limitation of Shipowners' Liability Conventions, adopted at Brussels in 1922 and 1923, is to secure international uniformity in this important branch of maritime law so that all parties interested in a ship, her cargo, and passengers may have reasonable assxirance as to the extent of their rights and liabilities no matter where the ship may be. It was considered* that the convention represented a fair compromise between the law in operation in the various parts of the Empire and the law of the principal continental countries (with which the law of the United States of America largely corresponds), and was likely to secure a wide measure of international acceptance. The laws in different countries with regard to maritime mortgages and liens vary widely, and this lack of uniformity often has serious consequences for those who lend money on the security of ships or who have claims against ships on account of services rendered or damage done. An international convention aiming at the unification of the law on this subject was adopted at Brussels in April, 1926, and the General Sub-Committee were of opinion that the uniformity which would result from its wide adoption would be of great advantage to all concerned. In the light of the sub-committee's report the following resolution was adopted by the Conference concerning these two conventions : — " The Imperial Conference notes with satisfaction the progress which has been made towards the unification of maritime law in regard to the limitation of shipowners' liability and to maritime mortgages and liens by the preparation at Brussels of draft international conventions on these subjects, and, having regard particularly to the advantages to be derived from uniformity, commends these conventions to the consideration of the Governments of the various parts of the Empire." Convention relating to Immunity of State-owned Vessels The Imperial Economic Conference of 1923 approved a proposal for the conclusion of an international convention which, subject to such limitations or safeguards as were necessary from the point of view of defence, should secure to claimants against Stateowned or State-operated vessels the hearing of their claims before Courts of law as a matter of right. It was stated in a further report")" of the General Economic Sub-Committee that an amended draft convention had been drawn up at Brussels in April, 1926, which would in general give effect on suitable lines to this policy, although certain points were outstanding on which the draft did not appear to be satisfactory from the standpoint of defence. In accordance with the suggestion of the sub-committee the Conference adopted the following resolution : — " The Imperial Conference notes with satisfaction the steps taken to give effect to the policy approved at the Imperial Economic Conference in 1923 with regard to the immunity of State-owned ships, and, subject to a satisfactory settlement of the points still outstanding, commends the draft international convention drawn up at the Conference at Brussels in April, 1926, to the consideration of the Governments of the various parts of the Empire." (e) Oil Pollution of Navigable Waters. The inconvenience and loss due to the pollution by oil of coastal waters and fishing-grounds are well known. Steps have been taken in several parts of the Empire and in a number of foreign countries to prohibit the discharge of oil in territorial waters or in harbour waters. It is generally recognized, however, that the nuisance cannot be effectively abated unless the discharge of oil or oily mixtures within certain limits outside territorial waters can be prevented, and with this object in view an International Conference held at Washington in June, 1926, recommended that areas should be prescribed on the coasts of maritime countries and on recognized fishing-grounds within which, oil or oily mixtures should not be discharged, and that each Government should require vessels flying its flag to respect all such areas.

* Seventh Report of the General Economic Sub-Committee. f Eighth Report of the General Eonomic SubCommittee.

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