[§271G-20]  Collection of rates and charges. 
No water carrier shall deliver or relinquish possession at destination of any
freight transported by it until all tariff rates and charges thereon have been
paid if such delivery or relinquishment without payment of all such rates and
charges has been prohibited or restricted by rules and regulations of the
commission, and if so prohibited and restricted, then delivery or
relinquishment shall be made only under such rules and regulations as the
public utilities commission may from time to time prescribe to govern the
settlement of all the rates and charges, including rules and regulations for
weekly or monthly settlement, and to prevent unjust discrimination or undue
preference or prejudice; provided that this section shall not be construed to
prohibit any carrier from extending credit in connection with rates and charges
on freight transported for the United States, for any department, bureau, or
agency thereof, or for any state or political subdivision thereof. [L 1974, c
94, pt of §1]