BILLS OF LADING.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16857, 10 June 1920, Page 7

BILLS OF LADING.

CAEGO PILLAGING. (By Cablo—Pres3 Association —Copyright.) (Australian ami X.Z. Cablo Association.) (Received June 9fcli, S.lo p.m.) LONDON, June 8. Tho sub-committee of the London Chamber of Commerce reports that it is impossible to obtain a simplification oi bills of lading owing to the diversity .>1 the-conditions of different trades. Tho sub-committee approves of tho Australian and New Zealand increase m the shipowner's liability to £200 per package, and recommends that it be adopted for all general cargo trades. The sub-committee reports that the pillaging of cargo has become intolerably acute. Underwriters now only pay 751 per cent, of the claims on this account, even for additional premiums. The pilferage is said to be chiefly due to tho lenient sentences imposed on offenders. The sub-committee recommends imprisonment without the option of a fine. fA request from the Associated Chambers of Commerce for recommendations regarding the amendment of bills of lading came before the executive of the Wellington Central Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday. Tho president (Mr A. Leigh Hunt) stated that the Chamber had placed its proposals before past conferences of the Chambers. They included tho elimination from tho bill of lading of anything in the nature of "bluff." It was an offence in other countries for a shipping company to insert .in the bill of lading clauses that were ultra vires at common law, but in New Zealand, unsuspecting consignees were often prevented frmn claiming their rights by the provisions of tho bills of lading. The shipping companies had added clause after clause. Thoy had even declared themselves to be not responsible for tho unseaworthy (condition of a vessel or for damage by vermin. The people who were paying freights had a right to a just bill of lading.]