BILLS OF LADING

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2437, 16 April 1915, Page 6

BILLS OF LADING

AUCKLAND BUSINESS MEN PRO- ' TEST. {By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Auckland, April 15. The Council of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce has set up a commiEfee to endeavour to secure united action with other Chambers in securing an alteration in the terms of bills of lading issued ' j'. s hipping companies affecting their liability in regard to the delivery of goods in good order and condition. Mr. Robert Burns, president of the Chamber, occupied the chair at a meeting of the Chamber today. "This meeting," said Mr. Burns, "has been called at the request of a considerable number of importers who consider they have a -legitimate grievance against the shipping companies for the manner 1 in which they treat claims that are made upon them for damages to cargo. It appears that the shipping companies have a fu'.-l to which they all subscribe, lo j!«nt any claims which are made upon them for damage, to cargo; This'fund was to protect _ shipowners against certain unfair claims which had been srccessfnlly made upon them and recovered, but now it loofis as if it had degenerated into a fund to dispute any claim. I!iu' companies _ are now protecting themselves behind a number of clauses which they have lately inserted in bills of lading. They have .clauses in which the company is not to be held liable for- any inherent defect in ». vessel, and also for acts of companies' servants."