SHIPOWNERS’ LIABILITY.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 March 1921, Page 5

SHIPOWNERS’ LIABILITY.

uniform legislation proposed. BILLS OF LADING. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received March 23, 5.5 p.m. London, March 22. The Imperial Shipping Committee, on the question of the limitation of shipowners’ liability and bills of lading, recommends uniform legislation throughout the Empire dealing with shipowners’ liability, but based more precisely on the Canadian Water Carriage of Goods Act, 1910, subject to further provisions in regard to exceptional cases in which goods are allowed to be carried at owners’ risk; also a precise definition of the physical limits to shipowners’ liability; and also the fixing of a maximum value of packages which shipowners should be liable to pay. The committee recommends the Canadian Act in preference to the Harter Act, which it closely resembles, because the former embodies the latest experience. The committee recommends that the questions of appeals involved should be referred to an Imperial board. The establishment of such a body is/-most desirable, even if it is endowed with advisory powers only. The committee finds a uniform bill of lading is impossible owing to varying conditions, but a very considerable degree of uniformity might be obtained in such homogenuous trade.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn