WOOL SHIPMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1007, 28 September 1903, Page 3

WOOL SHIPMENTS.

AND THE SHIPPING AND SEAMEN BILL.

Two clauses in the Shipping and Seamen Bill, providing against risk of fire from wool, flax, tow, and skins, wore discussed at considorablo length. One clause provides that any person who ships wool, flax,tow, or skins must firsttake reasonable means by tests to ascertain whether they aro in a condition liablo to spontaneous combustion. First of all members wanted to know who was meant by “person” ; was it tho shipper, or the farmer, tho Harbour Board, or The Bailway Department. The Minister of Marino said his intontion was to trace out tho person responsible for tho fault, but this did not satisfy members, and Mr Herries pointed out, that as a ponalty of two years’ imprisonment was provided, an innocent farmer might be sent to prison for two years because tho Kailway Department would not provide covers for their trucks. Members also wanted to know what tho Department might consider *' reasonable means ” in tho mattor of ascertaining whother tho wool was in a condition liablo to spontaneous combustion, but tho Minister gave no answer to this poser. Then it was suggested that tho whole clauso might bo droppod, but tho Minister said ho thought it was important to provide a safeguard for those who shipped wool, etc., in safo condition, and stated that tho matter had been brought undor his notico by tho New Zealand Marine Underwriters’ Association. Eventually tho clauso was slightly amended by striking cut all reference to tests leaving it necessary all reasonable precautions bo taken, in this form tho clause was carried, the voting for striking out the clause being twenty-four against thirty-sovon votes for retaining it. Tho next clauso provided that every balo of tow must, beforo shipment, bo covered with hessian, or othor like material, as a protection against risk of fire ' from sparks. It was pointed out that the cost of tho hessian covering would practically ruin the tow industry, and this clause was struck out on the voices.