THE LONDON STRIKES.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 399, 4 September 1889, Page 6

THE LONDON STRIKES.

The great dock strike which is now aralysing trade at London involves ; question of liability of the greatest importance to this colony, as far as the frozen meat export trade is concerned. Our cablegrams contain information that the New Zealand steamers Ivaikoura and Fifeshire havo been unable to unload their cargoes of frozen meat, and it is feared that if the dispute between the labourers now on strike and their employers is not speedily settled, permanent injury will be done to the trade of the port of London. The Kaikoura belongs to the New Zeaiand Shipping Company, and that Company are agents for the steamer Fifeshire, which is owned by the Elderslie Steamship Co., of Glasgow. The Kaikoura arrived at Ptymouth on the 20th, and London on the 21st inst., two days ahead of contract time, and she has been in the port of London for the last eight days. The Fifeshire has also been in port waiting an opportunity to unload for several daj's. Both vessels have large cargoes of frozen meat on board from the Southern ports of New Zealand, and the Auckland cargo on the Kaikoura does nob include any perishable cargo beyond a box of pheasants. It is stiatod in the information wired that in consequence of the impossd bility of obtaining coal to keep the lefrigerators at work the frozen meat cargoes are being utterly destroyed, and that thousands of tons of Jsew Zealand frozen mutton are rotting. This, however, is probably an exaggeration, as a very small quantity of coal per da\ r would suffice to pull through the emergency— so far as the Kaikoura and Fifeshiro are concerned, at all events. While the Kaikour.j and Fifeshiro are becalmed in the midst of this great sea of discontented labourers, the Kuapehu is delayed from completing her cargo for the outward voyage, the Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company's Doric, with a large cargo of frozen moat is due to arrive at London on the 4th prox., and the New Zealand Shipping Company's Tongariro, also heavily loaded with frozen meat, is expected to reach her destination on the 19th. By that time, however, the strike will surely have been settled, or else greater considerations than the condition of our frozen meat tiade will be at stake. A question of minor importance, but one of considerable interest, is the question of liability in respect of shipments of frozen meat that may be destroyed owing to this paralysis of trade caused by the strike. Three parties at least are interested, viz. , shippers, insurance companies holding risks over the cargo in question, and the steamship companies which have undertaken delivery of the cargo. The shippers, naturally, look to either of the other parties, and it is understood that neither of the other parties admit their liability. A very intricate legal question is involved, and the circumstances under which tbequestion arises, are probably without precedent in the records of shipping disputes. The greater portion of the fro/en meat shipped irom New Zealand is covered by policies in Home offices, some of them being for delivery in good order on arrival in port, while others cover transportation from New Zealand to London, and thirty days thereafter. The latter clause is probably intended to cover storage. So far as •\\e can ascertain there is no provision in the oidinary insurance risk taken on the transportation of frozen meat that will apply to the present emergency, and the question will probably have to bo decided on other gronnd s. The Steamship Companies will probably decline to recognise liability on the strength of the conditions under which they receive frozen meat for transportation to London. One clause in the New Zealand Shipping Company's conditions declares that the Company shall not beheld tobeanswerable for delays or damage arising from the "restraintof rulers, princes, or people," and the piesentcase is presumed to come under the latter pro\ision, " restraint of people." Another saving clause is to the ettect that " the Company will not be responsible for tiny damage arising from a breakdown of the steamer's refrigerating machinery, or from any cause whatever," the contention being that the company eimply undertakes to convey the meat to London and deliver it there, with due care and every reasonable precaution against damage. The position therefore stands thus : The cargo was shipped in good ordei. and anived home in good order, the ship is ready to delivei it and the consignees are equally willing to receive it, for frozen mutton is going to very high prices, in consequence of the detention; but the labourers want more wage? and as their demands are refused, the meat is allowed to rot in the holds of vessels lying helplessly idle in port. Who is going o pay for the damage ?— " Auckland Star," August 31.