NEW BRITISH LINERS FOR PACIFIC

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 42, 13 November 1936, Page 9

NEW BRITISH LINERS FOR PACIFIC

Two Vessels of 25,000 Tons

BUILDING WITH AID OF

SUBSIDY

By Telegraph —Press Assn. —CopyrightNew York, November 11. The Associated Press agency is informed of some details of a contemplated new Canadian-Australasian shipping service by two new liners which is reported to have been approved by the Imperial Maritime Committee. It is stated that the service is to be subsidised by the British Government ;ind that plans have been completed and that all is in readiness for Scottish yards to begin construction of the vessels. At least one Glasgow expert inspected Matson liners here recently. Special emphasis is laid on the woodwork, in which, as well as in other aspects. the British vessels are expected to excel the American. The new liners will be of 25,000 tons and will have a speed of 24 knots. They will also be right up to date in propulsion, comfort and beauty. The shipbuilders have asked for two years to complete the ships, but are ready to complete them in 18 months or a year if necessary. The terminus will be Vancouver, but there will be a call at Los Angeles in preference to San Francisco on the ground that there will be a larger number of tourists through that port and also that they will want to visit Hollywood. Competition for Trade.

Shipping circles here consider that the trans-Tasman legislation was agreed upon as a preliminary to the building of the 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 will welcome the entrance of the new ships, that there is traffic enough to fill the vessels of both lines for years, and that at the height of the season the Matson Line is compelled to turn away much good through traffic. He instanced the company’s intention to hook no large parties during 1937 and that the tourist traffic had hardly been tapped.