THE SHIPPING POSITION.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16406, 28 December 1918, Page 9

THE SHIPPING POSITION.

THE CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME

(By Cable.—Press Association.—Copvrlgfit) (Australian and Cable Association.) WASHINGTON, December 26. In the Senate, during a debate on the construction of the mercantile marine, Mr Fletchor pointed out that the necessity for ships was as great now as at any time during the war. Britain was planning to build 2,000,000 tons annually, and France 3,000,000, while the United States would be able to build 6,000,000 tons. REDUCTION IN AMERICAN FREIGHT RATES. NEW YORK, December 26. The Chicago "Tribune's" correspondent states that the American Shipping Board officials have notified the British shipping* authorities of the terms on which tho merchant marine competition will be conducted. A 25 per cent, reduction in the American freight rates has already been ordered by Mr Hurley, American Shipping Controller, in order, to meet the English rates, and an additional reduction of about the same amount is exnccted soon. The United States will not undercut the English rates. , There is no attempt to reach a uniform wage scale. The wages on British ships are higher than the pre-war ratep ana are likely to remain so. The fact that the new American ships will be chiefly oil burners is expected to largely offset the advantages given by British wages, because the American ships will be well able to reauce their fire room forces to the minimum;

The correspondent says the reduction in the freight rate is not confirmed by Washington officials