PACIFIC SHIPPING SERVICES.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20647, 9 September 1932, Page 19

PACIFIC SHIPPING SERVICES.

RETALIATION AGAINST AMERICA. CANADIAN ACTIVITIES. Fito.u x Special CoitßEsroNDEi.'T. OTTAWA, August 10. With both the British and Canadian delegates professing (satisfaction at the progress toward reconciling their differences at the Imperial Economic Conference, the activities of Mr E. W. Beatty, president of the Canadian Pacific Kailways, at this gathering has become of pointed interest to Americans. Following indications that Canadian banking and shipping interests were' bestirring themselves to help to make the Conference a success, Mr Beatty arrived in Ottawa and was in conference with Canadian and British statesmen. From British sources it was learned that the conversations centred principally on shipping in the Pacific, where competition by the Matson and JJollar lines from the United States has made the going more difficult recentlyfor the Empire's merchant marine. The"''discussion is said to have gone over possibilities for preferential port charges and prefereutial Customs duties favouring imports into Empire countries carried by British vessels. Strong sentiments for such agreements can be found in Australia and New Zealand. Canadian Desires. The Canadian desire for such agreement would be enhanced by American laws restricting the coastal and intercoastal trade over much of the American continent, to United States Vessels. A larger possible share to Canada in the West Indian business is also wanted. Americans here, however, pointed out that thero might be one effective curb on Canadian desires, namely, the possibility of similar preferential Customs duties to American vessels under the United States Customs regulations. The United States imports a great deal of its silk on Canadian Pacific vessels. The product is landed at Vancouver, and shipped east over Canadian rails. A slight alteration of United States Customs requirements, similar to Empire preferences in Pacific or other ports, would divert much of the silk traffic to American vessels which could land the goods in San "Francisco. The Canadian Pacific Railways recently acquired a half interest, in the motor-ships Aorangi and Niagara;; ■ttadv iug between Australia and and the new position thus create^.has. aroused great interest in 'shipping circles. It is understood that converisations have already been held between interested parties at the Conference in the matter, and they will be resumed at a later date.