PACIFIC MAIL CO.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 8215, 12 August 1915, Page 2

PACIFIC MAIL CO.

SERVICE TO CEASE

(Per Press Association —Copyright)

LONDON, August 10

It is definitely, announced from San Francisco that tho trans-Pacific service of the Pacific Mail Company will cease from November 2.

The United States recently passed a Shipping Act which aimed at increasing | the prestige and comfort of the Amerii can mercantile marine Substantial in- ! creases in wages were granted and a ! clause inserted which provided that at : least 75 per cent, of the crew of any vessel trading to American ports should be able to understand English. This latter, clause particularly affected tho companies trading on the Pacific Coast, for here Asiatic crews were largely employed—not all of whom, of course, could understand English. Several of the Pacific companies protested strongly to the Government at< the increased expense this law would entail upon them. One company removed its headquarters to Vancouver to secure British registry, while the Pacific Mail Company threatened to cease running and sell its fleet. This decision is now to be put into effect.