The debate on Monday on the Merchant Shipping Bill placed
the weakness of Government in a strong light. Mr. Reed, who cannot be taunted with want of practical knowledge, moved a most moderate resolution declaring that ships were not safe without a load-line, to be settled either by Government or by the shipowner himself, and submitted to Government for record. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, however, resisted the proposal, arguing that the Bill is a Bill for one year, and that a load-line could not be fixed for some years to come ; and Mr. Reed was obliged to withdraw his resolution. When, however, Mr. Nor- wood proposed a shipowner's load-line, Mr. Disraeli, after listen- ing quietly to Sir S. Northcote's demonstration that a load-line was impossible, got up and threw over his lieutenant. The load- line is therefore ordered, and on the shipping of "grain in bulk Mr. Plimsoll also won. Mr. Reed proposed that this practice should be prohibited, and though the Chancellor of the Ex- chequer resisted at first, he yielded when defeat seemed immi- nent so far as to concede prohibition if the grain exceeded one- third of the cargo. Finally, a clause was added making it a mis- demeanour in a Captain to'take an unseaworthy ship to sea, and if the Bill as amended is well worked, it will prove a strong one. It is, however, in no way a Government Bill.
