THE FOOD QUESTION

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 21, 24 July 1918, Page 7

THE FOOD QUESTION

SHIPBUILDING f PROGRESS.

(FROII OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) LONDON, 14th May. , Lord Pirrie states that the output of shipbuilding for April, though not reaching the level of that for March, is 60 per cent, higher than in April, 1917, and the upward tendency in the rate of annual output is steadily maintained. The launchings in January and February were low, and this is reflected in the tonnage of completions now issued. It should ha noted that the April output has been achieved notwithstanding the very large increase in the merchant ships which have been repaired and returned to service. Since 'January the increase amounts to 40 per cent., and this work has placed a severe strain on the shipbuilding and marine engineering resources,, of the country. In the White Pa.per issued on 22nd March the Board of Admiralty stated that "to produce 1,800,000 tons in 1918, and to reach an ultimate production at the rate of 3,000,----000 tons per annum, is well within the present and prospective capacity of our shipyards and marine engineering shops. 1' Towards the total of 1,800,000 tons there have been produced in the .first four months of the year just r432,000 tons, leaving 1,368,000 tons to be built in the remaining eight months, if the total output considered practicable a. few weeks ago is to be achieved. means that the monthly average output 'until the end of the year must be raised to at least 171,000 tons, or a much higher total than has been secured since the end of 1914.