THE RULE OF THE ROAD.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1248, 30 July 1872, Page 2

THE RULE OF THE ROAD.

In the House of on 7th May, Sir J. Hay moved for a Select Committee to inquire whether the Rales of the Road at Sea cannot be modified, so as to reduce the present risk to life and property. In support of this motion, the Admiral quoted the official returns showing that collisions at sea have increased since the present rules came into ration, and though he did not connect two in relation of cause and effect, he contended that the increase showed that the rales did not provide for all cases. Captain E. Egerton, who seconded the motion, did not agree altogether with Sir J. Hay, but advocated inquiry, on the ground that rionj differed to much about the rules. E. Smith, Sir J. Elphinstone, and' Mr Cave also supported inquiry, though the latter approved the rules as far as they went ; but Mr Hanbnry-Tracy opposed the motion, thinking that ttii was an international matter, in which it would be unwise to make any change before communicating with other nations. Mr C. Fortescue objected to an inquiry, contending that the increase in the number of collisions was due to the increase in our tonnage, and was not out of proportion to it. The roles, he pointed out, had been adopted by all foreign countries, and to disturb them now would lead to great practical inconveniences. Moreover, all the great steanuhip companies and Lloyd's Salvage Association were against any alteration. Mr G. Bentinck declared that the rules were the cause of many collisions. Mr Childers deprecated inquiry as premature ; and Mr Graves, thougn he intended to vote for the motion if it were pressed to a division did not conceal his opinion that it would be wiser, on the whole, not to move in the matter at present. The motion was then negatived.