THE BATTLE OF THE SEVEN SEAS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 164, 14 July 1941, Page 6

THE BATTLE OF THE SEVEN SEAS

■yyE in New Zealand have felt the effects of the battle of the seas in every phase of our economic life. Sir Ronald Cross, recently retired from the Ministry of Shipping, during his brief visit to Auckland, was able to emphasise the effects of the epic struggle from the point of view of the other side of the world and to give us a better understanding of the problems which Britain is facing in her efforts, not only to maintain her own food supplies, but also to keep up the productive efforts and conserve the economic stability of every part of the Empire. This double task has demanded an unparalleled effort by the British authorities, and how well they have responded was shown by Mr. Nash's warm tribute to the splendid work accomplished by Sir Ronald during the past twenty months. Germany has made the most desperate efforts possible by air, surface craft and submarine to cut off ail supplies, to sink every ship engaged in our trade, but Sir Ronald is quietly confident that the seaways will be kept open, and that the men of the merchant marine will see it through provided thev get every ounce of support in turning the ships round, and in replacing losses by building and repairing in the British, overseas Empire and American yards. Strong support is given to his optimistic outlook bv the announcement of the First Lord of the Admiralty that, without stating where, when or how, or how many, his forces had had particularly successful times against the U-boats during the past weeks It is our misfortune that the Argentine is half the distance from London ana that ships in that trade can make more voyages in a given time' Many fast liners are trooping, and with the great length of the voyages involved—24,ooo miles at a time—they cannot quickly be replaced on their old trade. Much has been done to make the best use of the space available to us by telescoping carcases, by the elimination of bone and fat, and by canning. But these processes have by no means reached their limit, and our efforts to get every possible pound of meat out of the country by these alternatives should be extended to their utmost limits.