CARGO IN CAPTURED SHIPS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2273, 6 October 1914, Page 6

CARGO IN CAPTURED SHIPS

WAR RISKS;

QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAMBER OP

COMMERCE.

_ A letter was received from the Coun« cil of the New Zealand Marine Underwritons. Association, at yesterday's meeting of tho Wellington Chamber o£ Commerce, regarding war risks. It was .stated that a cablegram had been received from the London Institute of Underwriters' informing the New Zealand Council that it was necessary for consignees to apply for release of cargo ox steamers seized or detained; otherwise los-s would fall on, and be due, to the negligence of the assured, and not to capture. A memorandum was issued to members of the Chamber of Commerce containing the information, and pointing out that, in regard to cargo in vessels seized or detained, which had beea covered by war risks, it was necessary for the assured to get the benefit of hjs 'insurance, immediately to make application to the Prize Court for the release of shipments on German or other enemies' vessels which had been detained a-s prizes of war. Whether such cargo was insured or not it "was necessary for consignees to make apj plication to the Prize Court for release, of shipments. The secretary of the Chamber of Commerce further pointed out that where cargo in such vessels had not been covered by_ a marine policy .which included war risk, and the vessels had been detained, the liability of the insurance company ceased at -the port of detention. , and it was necessary for consignees to effect further marine insurance to cover up the voyage from the port of detention to the New Zealand port. Claims to Prize Court. . A short discussion was raised on a letter from the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, requesting information as to the procedure for entering claims ia the Prize Court for ships detained at Capo Town. The president (Mr. C. W. Jones) said that he had made eomo inquiries, but there seemed little definite information, to be had. As regarded boate held ia Australia, cargo was coming along to New Zealand, as tlla result of'an o.rrangement made by the New Zealand Government with Australia. The cost of transhipment and freight from Sydney was collected on the cargo at this end. There were several boats at Java, a neutral port. He had no information aa to "how to deal with the cargo there, but \pparently there was verj little hope of getting anything out or Java at present. With regard to Cape Town ' there, was little definite news. Finally a motion, moved by Mr. Ji G. Harkness, was carried, as follows:— "That the Government be asked to make a similar arrangement with. South Africa as was made with Aus. tralia, and have cargo forwarded on at the expense of the -consignees, the expenses to be collected here." It waa also decided to suggest again that the increased charges should be made a charge on the ships. • In this respect Mr. Jones suggested that further representations might be made to the Government. Increased charges should be'a charge on interned or oapttired boats, even if they were, handed back to the owners after the war. ,