I move: That the Bill be read a Second Time. The draft Convention, concerning the marking of the weight of heavy packages transported by vessels, was adopted by the twelfth of the International Labour Conferences held in Geneva in 1929. The Convention was ratified by the Government of the Saorstát on the 5th July, 1930. It did not, however, come into operation until the 9th March, 1932, the date upon which the ratification of the requisite number of States, members of the International Labour Organisation, was registered with the Secretary-General of the League of Nations. The Convention has now been ratified by a large number of States and it is necessary that we should introduce here the requisite legislation in order to meet our obligations arising from our ratification of the Convention. The Bill is designed for that purpose. It prohibits the loading into any ship, barge or any other vessel for transport by sea or inland waterway from a port or other place in the Saorstát, any package the gross weight of which equals or exceeds a metric ton unless the true gross weight of such package is plainly and durably marked on the outside of such package when such package is so loaded. If the transport by sea commences outside the Saorstát, it will still be illegal to export a package of a metric ton or over unless the true gross weight is plainly and durably marked on the outside. If it is not reasonably practicable to ascertain the exact gross weight of a package, a statement of the approximate gross weight will be required. Any person, who by himself or his servant or agent consigns such package for transport by sea or inland waterway, will be guilty of an offence and will be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £10, unless the provisions of the Bill are observed. The offence may be prosecuted by or at the suit of the Minister for Industry and Commerce.
The main design of the Convention was, of course, to secure a measure of security for all persons employed as dock labourers. The Convention has not been ratified by every country, and it may happen that packages on which the gross weight will not be marked and which will be handled by dockers in the Saorstát, may be consigned by countries which have not ratified the Convention. The obligations of the Saorstát under the Convention are met, however, if we provide that every such package consigned from the Saorstát is so marked, and the purpose of the Bill is to do that.
