INDIA

Merchant Shipping (Amendment) Act 1979. The principal Act of 1958 is amended by this Act to provide that every citizen who, in future, obtains certain specified certificates after taking advantage of training facilities provided by the Government, is liable to serve the Government, or in any Indian ship, for such period not exceeding four years as the Central Government may, by a general or special Order, specify. The citizen is barred from accepting any other employment before the expiry of this period. In the case of a person who has obtained two or more certificates, the liability so to serve is for such period or periods not exceeding seven years as the Central Government may specify. Provision is made for exemptions.

ITALY

Ratification of 1952 International Conventions on Arrest of sea-going Ships and on Civil and Penal Jurisdiction in matters of Collision. Instruments deposited with the Belgian Government in Brussels. Conventions operative as from May 9, 1980.

MALTA

Carriage of Goods by Sea (Regulation) Act 1980. The carriage of goods of every description by sea to and from Malta is regulated by this Act. Power is given to the responsible Minister to give the necessary permission or approval. Where, in respect of the carriage of goods by sea to or from Malta from or to a port in any other country, it is provided that there is in force an agreement for the sharing of such cargo between shipping lines, and the agreement has been approved by the Minister for the purposes of the Act, such approval (and any conditions or other provisions thereof) have the effect of a permission granted under the Act and, subject to any conditions or other provisions of the Minister’s approval, the provisions of the agreement have the same effect as if they were provisions of the Minister’s permission.

NEW ZEALAND

Carriage of Goods Act 1979. The principal enactment repealed is the Carriers Act 1948, as amended, and the Carriage of Goods Act 1979 restates and reforms the law relating to the carriage of goods within New Zealand. The Act deals with the liability of carriers and employees; warranties by contracting parties; actions against carriers, and the rights of carriers. The concept of common carrier of goods is abolished. The Act provides that notwithstanding any rule of law to the contrary, no carriers shall be liable as such (whether in tort or otherwise, and whether personally or vicariously) for the loss of or damage to any goods carried by him except (a) in