COMMON WEALTH LINE

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 130, 26 February 1925, Page 9

COMMON WEALTH LINE

GOVERNMENTS DECISION TO SELL EVIDENCE OF FUTILITY OF STATE CONTROL Bi Telegraph.—Press Association. ■. Copybight. London, February 24. Most of the newspapers give prominence to the decision to sell the Commonwealth Line of steamers. The tenor of the comments is that it is further evidence of the futility of State control of shipping, which constitutes an invitation to unions to make extreme demands, to say nothing of the risk of political muddling.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SHIPPING MOST UNSUITED TO NATIONALISATION (Rec. February 25, 10.15 j>.m.) London, February 25. The “Daily Telegraph” says: “The misfortunes of the , Australians are more remarkable because under their navigation law British and foreign vessels are excluded from the coasting trade. This proved costly to those interested in inter-State commerce,’ who have had to pay higher freights than would have obtained under free conditions' But the absence of competition ought to have proved advantageous to State-owned vessels. Moreover, it was assumed that they would been supported by large sections of the Commonwealth people, who would feel a patriotic pride in sailing under' their own flag. It was impossible to any other conclusion than that shipping, above all industries, is most unsuited to nationalisation. It remains to be- seen whether anyone is prepared to comply with conditions which obviously decrease the chances of earning a profit, however cheaply the vessels''may be sold,”—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ,

LABOUR PAPER’S COMMENTS London, February 24. The “Daily Herald,” commenting on Australia selling her steamers, says that it is trumps for Lord Inchcape and the. shipping combine and a blow 'to the Australian' producers, and wageearners. The line was rendering incalculable service to the people of Australia, but from the outset it had met with bitter opposition from Lord Inchcape’s Conference Line, whild paying far better wages and giving the crews better conditions than the pri-vately-owned lines. With the Commonwealth Line sold at knock-down prices to its rivals, the combine will better be able to keep down wages and better able to squeeze the Australian producers and the Home cbnsumer. —. Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.