THE LAZY WAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 162, 11 July 1934, Page 7

THE LAZY WAY.

LIBERAL CRITIC.

SHIPPING SUBSIDIES. Government Proposal Debated In Commons. LABOUR AND NATIONALISATION (United I*. A.—Electric Telegraph—Copy right) (Received 12.30 p.m.) LOXDOX, July 10. Sir Stafford Cripps, deputy-Labour leader, initiated the debate on subsidies for shipping. He argued that their necessity bespoke the necessity for State ownership. Other industries falling into difficulties would be sure to demand similar treatment. Labour would insist on a condition of the grant of subsidies being that proper wages and conditions should be given for officers and men. Sir Herbert Samuel (Liberal) said everyone agreed that something must be done to meet the competition of subsidised foreign shipping, but a simple and lazy way of pouring out money from the Exchequer was the' worst possible method. It was bound to lead to more shipbuilding, excess of tonnage and reductions of freights which would encourage a world-wide war of subsidies, followed by a world war of tariffs. The better way to begin the attack on foreign subsidies was to directly enlist the co-operation of the Dominions and India, and other countries opposed to subsidised shipping, and arrange an agreement that subsidised shipping pay countervailing port duties in all ports of the Empire and other non-subsidising countries. Mr. Walter Kunciman, President of the Board of Trade, was open to censure for the tardiness of the steps to secure Dominion co-operation in the matter. Mr. Euncinian said that foreign countries who were subsidising shipping should understand that as far as the links of the Empire were concerned Britain was not going to submit to the present conditions without making a great effort to equalise matters. The Government was consulting the Dominions on the subject. He had no doubt the latter would co-operate with the Government. He bad not again sought an international agreement because the Shipping Committee of the World Economic Conference showed that only Norway, Sweden, Holland and Denmark were willing to co-operate with Britain. The Government-was preparing the necessary legislation for the scheme, progress of which would now depend on the co-opera-tion of the shipowners.