THE COMMONWEALTH'S LINE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 133, 8 June 1925, Page 6

THE COMMONWEALTH'S LINE.

The announcement by the Federal (iovcriiuient lliiit the (Juiiiinuinrcaltli Line of steamer* will nut ho sold coincides ominously with the de registration of the Seamen's Union. The Union was. a factor in the Cuvcinn fs decision to put up the fleet for sule. The Government was tired uf .Mr. Walsh's, methods. As Sir. Jiruce points out in the statement we published <>n Saturday, 'lucre were "more than two serious hold-ups of vessels in tliu line by tlie Australian unions," uiij innumerable minor ones, yet tin- co.-t of {■lews' wages iiiul vietmilling was just double what it would have been had the ships been on (he British register. -Mr. Justice Webb had this difference in mind when he expressed I he -deepest regret" at having to de-register the Seamen's Union. "A line bod vof Australian scan,en," working under I lie best conditions in the world, had been led astray by advocates of unconstitutional methods. This regret is widespread, but one must, not he surprised if it does not affect the seamen. They have eho.-eu to be seduced by fanatics of the class war, and apparently they repaid the voice of Mr. VVulsh "as the voice of (Jod. The Cnveriiuient has more than the Union to think of, though probably Jlr. Walsh looms largest in its thoughts. Jt has received one offer for tlio fleet, and this lias been refused That there was only one oiler is not surprising. There are few buyers for fleets of liners; generally wliy.'i a firm wants more shipu. it lias' them built '.o its requirement*. The Government intends to run the line under the present shipping board, with a "vigorous" building program mi , . The line involved tJio (.'overnment in heavy deficits, and what better prospects of success are there now? The alternative of letting Unships rot at anchor may be impossible, but most Australians' will not view the continuation of the enterprise with any enthusiasm.