SERIOUS DECLINE IN BRITISH SHIPPING

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 99, 20 January 1939, Page 9

SERIOUS DECLINE IN BRITISH SHIPPING

Big Fall In Tonnage Under

Construction

FOREIGN SUBSIDIZED COMPETITION

By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. LONDON, January 18. Lloyd’s quarterly returns reveal a most serious decline in British merchant shipping. The tonnage under construction is 105,719 lower than in the previous quarter, and 345,664 lower than last year. The United Kingdom is building only 29.2 per cent, of the world tonnage compared with 10 years ago, when th? total equalled the remainder of the tonnage building elsewhere.

The position is directly attributable to subsidies and lower wages, which are enabling foreign countries to build 40 per cent, cheaper than the United Kingdom. Germany is at present leading. with 355,737 tons under construction. Then come Japan and the United States of America.

A British official wireless message states that the President of the Board of Trade, Mr. Oliver .Stanley, received a deputation of shipowners with reference to -the proposals of the Joint Shipping Policy Committee, which were published °n Wednesday, on the maintenance of British shipping. Mr. ■Stanley renewed the assurance he gave in the House of Commons in July that ■the Government would give the report full and prompt consideration.