NEW LINERS FOR PACIFIC TRADE

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21939, 13 November 1936, Page 9

NEW LINERS FOR PACIFIC TRADE

TWO FAST BRITISH VESSELS official approval REPORTED NEW YORK, November 11. The Associated Press has- been informed that some of the details of the contemplated new Canadian-Australian-New Zealand shipping service by two liners arc reported to have been approved by the Imperial Maritime Committee. The plans are completed, and all is in readiness in the Scottish yards to begin construction on at least one liner. A Glasgow expert inspected Matson liners here recently, with special attention to the woodwork, in which, as well as in other aspects, the British ships are expected to excel the American vessels. The new liners, which will be ox 25,000 tons, will have a speed of 24 knots, and they will incorporate the latest details in propulsion, comfort and beauty. The shipbuilders have asked for two years for the completion of the ships, but they are ready to complete building them m 18 months or a year if necessary. The terminus of the hew liners will be Vancouver, but a call will be made at Los Angeles in preference to San Francisco, on the ground that a larger number of tourists also want to visit Hollywood. Shipping circles here consider that the trans-Tasman shipping legislation as agreed upon is a preliminary to the building of these British liners, and little surprise is now expressed at the intention to exclude American shipping from the benefits of the trans-Tasman trade. It is understood that the general passenger manager, Mr Ryan, privately observed that the Matson Line would welcome the entrance of the new shins, as there was traffic enough to fill both lines for years, and that at the height of the season the Matson Line was compelled to turn away much good through traffic. As an instance, he referred to the Matson Line’s intention to book no large parties in 1937, and said that the tourist traffic had hardly been tapped.