Page:History of merchant shipping and ancient commerce (Volume 3).djvu/370

 relation to these matters may be brought into account among the part-owners of the same ship, in the same manner as any other moneys disbursed for the use thereof.

Some of the Shipowners complained of the reintroduction of a liability nearly unlimited as set forth in the 511th clause, urging that foreign shipowners could not be rendered liable to its operation, and that Shipowners are expressly exempted from liability for damage caused by the negligence or misconduct of licensed pilots, on the very ground that their competency has been tested and approved by public authorities. This last argument is, however, wholly untenable, unless a perfect immunity is to be accorded to every ship-master who may have obtained a certificate of qualification. The municipal law of one State can only bind those subjects who owe allegiance thereto; but all civilised States frame regulations for the protection of life and property. It would be very difficult to suggest any improvement in the law. The provisions in the Merchant Shipping Act were the result of profound consideration, and ought to be deemed to have effected as reasonable an adjustment as is possible, between the owners of sea-going ships and persons sustaining damage.

With regard to the Passenger Act, the central body of Shipowners further complained of the discretionary power exercised by the Emigration officer; and, in recent reports, have called attention to those provisions which "while they harass the Ship-*