SHIPPING REGULATIONS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16703, 11 December 1919, Page 8

SHIPPING REGULATIONS.

GOVERNMENT ACTION.

(speciai, to ''the press.")

WELLINGTON, December 10,

111 reference to the control of shipping regulations issued by the Government, an authority has supplied the "Post" with tho following explanation:—

During the war period, it will bo remembered, the Union Steam Ship Company's fleet was sold to the P. and 0. Line. As u result of this (and so it was said, to effect cheaper manno insurance* most of the vessels wore registered in England. This had the effect rrf taking away the control of tho vessels from the New Zoaland Government. To got over this • difficulty, the Dominion Government has recently gazetted notices whereby any vessel managed in New Zealand comes under.its control. To strengthen its hnnds, tho Government has also decided that all cargoes loaded outward shall have to bo done under license. These regulations will have the effect of compelling shipowners to place their vessels in a trade which tho Government approves. Since tho sale to tho P. and 0., several of the Union Steam Ship Company's colliers have entered other trades, notablv the trans-Pncific, but will now, if tho Government so elects, Jiave to go hack to tho New-castle-New Zealand trade, where they are urgently needed. "Th.i regulations, if properly worked, will have another effect. They will compel shippers in New Zealand to support Britisn-ownd vessels and ship their freights hv them. It is well known that the iTnited States Government in doing its utmost to obtain mercantile supremacy over Great Britain, and American vessels hare already loaded cargoes in our ports. The United States Government protects its own shipping in tho coastal trade. No British vessel can trado on its coast, and no British vessel can trade from Honolulu to America. Surely tho New Zealand Government should protect the Empire's interests nrd Fee that at any rate our goods should bo exported in British'bottoms I If our local importers were as loyal in trade as they were in war, they would see tlint their goods imported into New Zealand from the United States were shipned in British bottoms. Trade should follow the flag, and, following it, bring continued prosperity to tho Empire."