BILL OF LADING SYSTEM.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 September 1921, Page 5

BILL OF LADING SYSTEM.

. THE HAGUE PROPOSALS. ADOPTION PROBABLE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Sept. 14, 5.5 p.m. London, Sept. 13. Mr. J. M. Hunter (Agent-General for Queensland) has returned to London. He confirms the optimism of Mr. A. G. Ashbolt (Agent General for Tasmania) regarding the results of the maritime conference, and hoped the new bill of lading would be introduced early in the year.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Mr. Ashbolt informed the Australian Press Association that the general adoption of the Hague Conference bill of lading is practically assured. British, American and Continental delegates, including representatives of the principal British maritime, mercantile, banking and insurance interests, all recommended its adoption. Mr. Ashbolt believes that this will nullify the Imperial Committee’s report. The shipping companies are probably influenced by a desire to escape legislation which is threatened by several countries. The conference preferred voluntary action. Mr. Ashbolt is of opinion that the Hague recommendations are superior from the shippers’ point of view to the Australian Sea Carriage Act, although it would involve some unimportant amendments to that Act to bring it into conformity with the Hague rules.