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PART II - HAGUE RULES 203Article 3 (3) (a) - Contents of bill of lading: marksfication”. If any other marks that a manufacturer chooses to put upon his boxes haveto be placed on the bills of lading, then there will have to be very stringent regulationsmade that all cargo is to be down alongside at least a week, or ten days, or a fortnight,before the ship sails, so that everything can be checked, and you will introduce an impossibleset of conditions. So we suggest that it should be limited to “leading marks”.Then the next point is this. These statements which the shipowner is to be bound toput on to the bill of lading must be [85] all in his hands before the loading starts. Yousee under subsequent clauses you are making this document which you are obligingthe shipowner to issue prima facie evidence against the shipowner. It is obviously theintention of the cargo interests to make the bill of lading of greater value by takingevery care that it correctly states what is put on board. That, of necessity, entails on theshipowner a good deal more labour. He will have to make all proper provisions forchecking such things. I submit that if that bill of lading is to be made prima facie evidenceagainst him, then the statements that he has to put on the bill of lading must beplaced in his hands before the loading starts, so that he will have every opportunity ofchecking everything that he has to put into the bill of lading, by which he is to bebound. The other point is just a small point. “Provided such marks are stamped or otherwiseshown clearly upon the goods if uncovered, or on the cases or coverings in whichsuch goods are contained”.The Chairman: That is drafting only.Sir Norman Hill: That is drafting only.The Chairman: I think I might ascertain whether the Committee is satisfied thatthe proper marks to be insisted upon are the leading marks. The gentlemen know whatthe course of business is. The question is that Sir Norman Hill’s amendment to introduceafter “The” in 3 (a) the word “leading” be adopted. (Agreed).Then as to the point of time, in the second line of 3 (a) “before the loading starts”,that seems to follow as a matter of course. Is that agreed? (Agreed).And the words “if uncovered” at the end of line 3 and beginning of line 4 are obviouslynecessary words. Is that agreed? (Agreed).The question is that 3 (a) as amended stand part of the draft. (Agreed).Text adopted by the Conference[256]3. AFTER RECEIVING THE GOODS INTO HIS CHARGE the carrier or the master or agentof the carrier shall on the demand of the shipper issue a bill of lading showing, amongstother things:(a) The LEADING marks necessary for identification of the goods as the same are furnishedin writing by the shipper BEFORE THE LOADING STARTS, provided such marks arestamped or otherwise shown clearly upon the goods IF UNCOVERED, or on the cases or coveringsin which such goods are contained, in such a manner as will remain legible untilthe end of the voyage;CMI 1922 London ConferenceText submitted to the Conference(CMI Bulletin No. 65 - Gothenborg Conference)[363]3. After receiving the goods into his charge the [364] carrier or the master or agent