DECLINE IN SHIP LOSSES

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23446, 29 September 1941, Page 9

DECLINE IN SHIP LOSSES

WARNING AGAINST OVERCONFIDENCE (P.S.S.) DUNEDIN, September 2u'. ‘‘The Battle of the Atlantic is not won, and we are not justified in regarding the recent fall in tonnage lost as other than a temporary lull in the campaign, and let us not forget that a decline in losses does not mean an increase in shipping.” said the High Commissioner for the United Kingdom tSir Harry Batterbee) during an address to the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce. ‘‘lt will be a very long time before shipbuilding yards can replace what we have already lost,” said Sir Barry, “but while the decline in losses is a momentous and most encouraging development, new and heavy demands are being made upon shipping for supplies to our forces in the Middle East, and now for our gallant Russian allies. I doubt whether the immense drain on shipping space required for direct war communications is fully realised. “Again, do not forget that no ship on the United States register can carry goods to the United Kingdom, so that any increase of supplies from the United States means an extra demand on British shipping. Britain is doing what she can to keep the forces of the Dominions and herself in the Middle East well supplied and equipped, but she can do this only by forgoing imports of many kinds herself. In these circumstances, we feel it is only reasonable to ask the Dominions to bear their share.”