PRODUCTION OF WAR VESSELS

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 124, 19 February 1938, Page 8

PRODUCTION OF WAR VESSELS

Shipyards Monopolised VISITOR’S IMPRESSION OF BRITAIN Dominion Special Service. Auckland, February 18. The impression that activities in British shipyards were being monopolised by the construction of warships was gained during a recent visit to England by' Mr. H. W. Richards, Sydney, who was a through pabsenger by the Mariposa from San Francisco. Mr. Richards is Australian shipping manager of Dalgety and Company, Limited, and has been touring Englund and America.

Apart from two large Atlantic passenger ships which were In course of construction, the shipbuilding programme seemed to be entirely devoted to the re-servicing and production of new battleships, said Mr. Richards. They would all serve to make the British Navy more formidable than ever, although one felt that the augmentation of the Merchant Service with some new vessels would be a more pleasing impression. “I did not find the people of England so deeply affected by the war scare as we have been led to suppose in this part of the world,” added Mr. Richards. “While there are other nations In turmoil, England is siting back observantly until she Is struck. 1 feel she Will retain her stoic culm, but in the event of trouble she will awaken to her duties of defence and prove a foe of vast strength and resources.” Conditions in England were very encouraging, he said. Prosperity ruled and indications pointed to a continuation of this condition for some time.

America was apparently finding it difficult to readjust herself after the economic upset of recent years. Finding a remedy for here difficulties had taken longer than In the case of other countries. Her administrators, however, were wisely - bringing things rapidly to order, and the people of the States were becoming more contented than they had been for a long time.