THE SHIPPING OUTPUT.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 63, 14 March 1918, Page 5

THE SHIPPING OUTPUT.

I UNIFICATION WANTED. 1 (Received 10.50 a.m.)LONDON, March 13. The shipbuilding employers and ship yarders have issued a joint statement after to-day's conference with a view to showing their realisation of the serious shipbuilding position. They state that on January 2 the Premier, replying to their deputation, announced that the various shipbuilding departments would be co-ordinated. A joint reply was sent advocating unification of the departments and asking that a joint committee of masters and men be consulted before actions were taken affecting the industry generally. This request had not yet been heeded. The statement concludes by expressing the belief that construction would have been speeded if; the joint recommendations had been adopted, and offering loyal support in order to secure the largest possible output of ships. Lord Selborne said the Government's policy in Ireland had been disastrous. The Government had not taken adequate measures. Lord Lansdowne said a disquieting feature of the disorder was an outburst of agreement with the enemy. Recent acts in Ireland amounted to rebellion. Lord Salisbury withdrew his motion in view of Lord Curzon'e assurance Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr. Macnamara appealed to the members not to support the idea of taking shipbuilding out of the Admiralty's hands, which, he said, would be a fatal mistake. It would put the matter back into the melting pot, would cause dislocation and delay, and would be a grave error. He appealed to all to do their utmost to promote progressive work. Mr. Balfour announced reorganisation of the Shipbuilding Department. General ColJard takes charge of the National Shipyards, and Sir Thomas Bell has been appointed a director. Mr. John Brown has charge of ship repairs and the construction of auxiliary ships for the Navy, and Mr. James Lithgow deals with merchant shipping construction in private yards. \