SHIPPING MATTERS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15751, 18 November 1916, Page 5

SHIPPING MATTERS.

INTERVIEW WITH SIR J. MILLS. (special to "the press.") DUXEDiN, November 17. Sir James Mills, interviewed by a "Star" reporter, said that the questions of the British displacing the German ocean trade on certain routes, and of the Japanese competition and, indeed, of all things relating to oceanborne commerce, depended largely upon the settlement after the war. Meanwhile there was no cause for undue anxiety. The people in the Old Country, roused by the appeals of Mr Lloyd George, who fired their imagination and revealed to them their strength, were now confident as to the complete success of Great Britain arid her Allies. "It is a hopeful sign," said Sir James, ''that permission is now given to go on with a certain amount of merchant shipbuilding in the larger yards. The builders are still fully occupied with Admiralty work, but facilities aro given as much as possible for going on with vessels, the keels of which wero laid before the outbreak of the -wai — vessels intended for use in the more important branches, of the Empire's trade, such as the carrying of meat and grain." In this connexion, Sir James mentioned that two ships were being built by the Union Company for the moat trade, to run in conjunction with vessels of the Federal Line. The progress in the construction of these ships was slow, and they would not be launched for a' while, but it was satisfactory to know that the work -was enabled to be carried on. A little while before leaving the Old Country, Sir James presided at the annual meeting of the Institute of Marine Engineers, and in the course of his remarks he said ii was difficult to forecast the position of British shipping after the -war. The practical control by British shipping of the sea-borne commerce of the -world would no longer remain unchallenged, but whatever revolutionary changes might be made, he was satisfied that in the competition for i the most efficient and economical forms of machinery, British engineers would lead the way.