THE ATLANTIC SHIPPING COMBINE. (To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR.")
SIE,—In the discussion which has arisen on the proposed 'Morgan Combination" attention has perhaps not been sufficiently directed to the statutory provisions relating to the forfeiture of ships. I desire to call attention to four Sections : the 1st, the 28th, the 71st, and the 76th Sections of the Mer- chant Shipping Act, 1894 (57 and 58 Vic., c. 60). The qualification for owning a British ship is laid down in the 1st Section. The effect of this Section may be stated (with accuracy sufficient for the purpose in hand) to be to render
any foreigner an unqualified person. The 28th Section, which relates to an application to the Court for the sale of any British ship or of any share of one in which any unqualified
person acquires any interest as owner when the property is transmitted on marriage, death, bankruptcy, or other similar con.ingency, has obviously no application here. The 71st Section is as follows :— "If an unqualified person acquires as owner, otherwise than by such transmission as hereinbefore provided for, any interest, either legal or beneficial, in a ship using a British flag and assuming tho British character, that interest shall be subject to forfeiture under this Act."
The 76th Section contains details as to the proceedings on the forfeiture of a ship. The result of these Sections would seem
to be to make it possible effectually to prevent any interest in a British ship which is to remain a British ship from be-
coming vested in any foreigner. A British ship, if a foreigner acquire any interest in it, must either change its nationality or become liable to forfeiture. There is no desire on my part toenter into any discussion upon the proposed combination, as to the scope and details of which we have at present no information whatever. But the consideration of the above Sections may be useful as tending to show that some at least of the pro-
phecies which have been made as to the probable effects of the combination are unlikely to be fulfilled.—I am. Sir, Szc.,
MIDDLE TEMPLE.
Previous page
