MR. FIELD (Dublin, St. Patrick)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that shipowners compel consignors of live stock to sign contracts or consignment notes which absolve the shipowners from their legal liabilities as carriers; and whether he will consider the advisability of amending the law in this respect.
§ MR. RITCHIENo, Sir, I am not aware that shipowners compel, or are able to compel, any class of traders to sign contracts absolving them from their legal liabilities, and I am certainly not prepared to propose any legislation on the subject.