BRITISH AFFAIRS

Southland Times, Issue 18845, 10 June 1920, Page 5

BRITISH AFFAIRS

BILLS OF LADING. SIMPLIFICATION IMPOSSIBLE. (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association). LONDON, June 8, (Received June 9, 5.15 p.m.) The sub committee of the London Chamber of Commerce reports that it is impossible to obtain simplification of the bill of lading owing to the diversity of conditions of the different trades. The committee approves of the Australian and New Zealand increase in shipowners’ liability to £2OO per package, and recommends that it be adopted for all general cargo trades. Pilferage has become intolerably acute, and the underwriters now only pay 75 per cent of claims on this account, even for additional premiums. Pilferage is chiefly due to lenient sentences. The sub committee recommends imprisonment without the option of a fine. EMPLOYMENT OF EX-SOLDIERS. LORD HAIG AND THE TRADE UNIONS. LONDON, June 8. I/ord Haig, addressing trie National Association for the Employment, of ex-soldiers, attacked trade unions’ selfish obstinacy which prevented thousands of men who fought for principles, and even the very existence of trade unionism, from obtaining employment. OVERSEAS POLITICIANS. * EMPIRE PARLIAMENTARY UNION RECEPTION. LONDON, June 8. The Empire Parliamentary Association tendered a reception to a number of Australasian politicians at Westminster Hall, amongst those present being the. Hon. A. M. and Mrs Myers, of New Zealand. The Speaker’s wife welcomed the guests. THE CUMBERLAND DESPERADO, PRIVATE TOPLISS’ IDENTITY. LONDON, Juno 8. Private Topliss, who was fatally shot while endeavouring to escape arrest, has been definitely identified. It is suggested that he was also the perpetrator of three recent imtraeed crimes—the murder of Nurse Shore in a Hastings train in January; the murder of Mr Loare and his housekeeper near Truro ; and the murder of Constable Kelly at Acton.