READ A THIRD TIME

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 111, 4 February 1935, Page 9

READ A THIRD TIME

Tramp Shipping Bill (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, February 1. The House of Commons passed the third reading of tiie Government Bill to assist, by way of subsidy, the owners of British tramp ships to meet the competition of foreign subsidised vessels and to provide for assistance by loans on special terms to British shipowners to improve their merchant fleets.

Tiie President of the Board of Trade (Mr. Walter Runciman) said that the Government hoped that the steps to be taken by the shipowners internationally to adjust supply to demand might achieve their object, and that foreign Governments would be led to give up uneconomic subsidies. Britain would, of course, co-operate, but in the meantime she would make it quite clear that, insofar as those countries gave artificial assistance to their merchant fleets, Britain would have to proceed with the proposals still, and would provide in tiie current year £2,000.000 subsidy.

Reviewing the practice in other countries. Mr. Runciman said that in 1932-33 the United States paid £5,000,000 in ship subsidies, Italy £3.000,000, and Japan £1,000,000. If subsidised competition had continued without corresponding action here, Britain would in the event of a future war be in a perilous position. Only by having an immense number of units and,vessels of fast typo could she hold her own. He announced the names of the subsidy committee, whose chairman will be Sir Vernon Thompson.

In moving the rejection of the Government Bill, a London cable, states, the Rt. Hon. C. Addison (Swindon), on behalf of Labour, complained of the conditions attaching to the subsidy, stating that they were unsatisfactory as they did not insist on the employment of British labour or insist that voyages must include a British Empire port. No Britishers whatever were employed on some British ships. Mr. Walter Runciman, in tiie course of his reply, said that the Dominions had their, own shipping policies of a nationalistic character and in some directions they had Iwen unready to harmonise these with Britain’s, but he believed that tiie Dominions _ were gradually .coming round to Britain’s point of view. It was better to have an Empire policy as a whole. The Bill was read a third time by 147 votes to 37. . WAGES OF SEAMEN Agreement in Britain London, February 1. Members of the Maritime Board met representatives of the sailors, firemen and catering department and reached a settlement, restoring a quarter of the wages cut. Officers’ rates vary in accordance with their certificates and the size of the vessels on which they serve. The wages of able seamen and firemen on monthly articles where the shipowners provide food will be raised to £B/6/6 and £B/16/6 respectively. Men on weekly articles finding their own food will be raised to £2/17/6.