ENEMY SHIPS

Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 46, 22 February 1917, Page 3

ENEMY SHIPS

LIMITING ALIEN TRADE

PROPOSAL TO INCREASE PORT

CHARGES

DISCUSSED BY HARBOUR BOARD Staunch opposition to Germany obtaining a foothold in New Zealand after the war was voiced by members of the Harbour Board last evening. The discussion arose through the following motion, notice of which had been given by Mr. J. G. Cobbe:—. - "That Parliament be . asked to amend sections 96 and 97 of 'The Harbours Act, 1908,' in the direction of permitting harbour boards to increase harbour dues and other charges on ships owned or partly owned by persons who arc or who have at any time, been natives of countries at war with Great Britain during the years 1914 to/1917." Speaking to the motion, Mr. Cobbo said that section 96 stipulated that the charges in regard to foreign ships must be the same as those on .British vessels, while section 97 provided that no concession could be allowed the owners of ships of any other nationality. Both sections prevented any preference being given to British ships. If the Government could be induced to give the harbour .boards power to increase the dues on German ships it would do something to help British shipping. He then quoted tho figures recently mentioned in the House of Commons in regard to" German capital in shipping lines that traded to New Zealand ports. "For the information of any member of,this board who may not be fully informed as to the constitution of the International Mercantile Marine C 0.," swd Mr. Cobbe, "I may say, that of the company's common stock practically none is held in Great Britain, about 46 per cent.' of the shares are held by American stockbrokers and persons and firms bearing British names, 9 per cent, are in the hands of Dutch holders, and 45 pel' cent are owned by persons and firms bearing German namee. Of the. preference shares, about 11£ per cent, are held in Great Britain, 48i per cent, by American brokers and bearers of British names, 7£ per cent, by Dutch holders, and 32^ per cent by persons and firms bearing' German names. A large number of shares have, changed hands lately, and it has been stated that the control- of the company will ultimately pass into German hands; but it is impossible at present to say whether this is true or not." DANGER. OF. "FAIR PLAY" Mr. R. A. Wright, M.P., who seconded the resolution, said he did not know whether the resolution would carry much weight, but lip thought that the 'board should approve 'of the principle of tho motion. If the Germans were part masters of some of the steamship lines there was no reason why they should not become tho whole masters. The proposal might be looked upon as unfair by some people, but at the present tims everything seemed to be changed. He was convinced that unless the British fleet changed its methods of "fair play" we were going to be in a worse position than we were at. present. "I am not in'favour of treating these people in future as they have been treated in the past," said Mr. Wright. He added that the German people were an' outcast'peo-' pie and should be treated as such.

Mr. M. Cohen expressed the opinion that amalgamation of shipping throughout the world was meritable, but in any fiscal policy that might be evolved it Was necessary that preference should be given to Allies' shipping as against ..enemy shipping.

Mr. A. H. Hindmarsh, M.P., pointed out that although Wellington might discriminate against foreign shipping other ports might not take up the same attitude. The question was not only a national one but an Imperial one. "The hope of all of us is that Germany may be reorganised, and become a republic," said Mr.. Hindmarsh. He further remarked that if Germany became'a republic the other nations would hold out to it the hand of fellowship. All agreed that Germany at. present existed to destroy us in every, possible way. "If they hiiye done their best to destroy us," he said, "we must do our utmost to destroy them." The matter, however, was one for an Imperial Conference, which should settle it in a statesmanlike way. For the Port of Wellington, so many thousand, miles away, it was an absurdity to attempt to solve the problem. . He was quite certain that the members of the board, as business men, would see the humour of the situation.

DISCRIMINATION NECESSARY. Mr. J. G. . Harkness said he thought that the time had arrived when there should be discrimination between British and- foreign, ships.

Mr. Hindmarsh: Hear, hear! The nation should, but not individual ports. Mr. Harkness: " But you must educate public opinion first." In his opinion, the time had arrived -when the harbour boards of the Dominion should have the power to differentiate between British and foreign ships.

Mr. J. W. M'Ewan thought that Mr. Cobbe was ito be' congratulated on raising Buch an important question. He was of opinion, however, that in its present form tho motion was hardly suitable. , ■ '.

Mr. W. Cable xirged that merchants should utterly ban German goods. Mr. R. ! Fletcher, M.P., advocated something being done on national lines, and said he hoped ' that the motion would be remodelled and forwarded to the conference of harbour' boards.

Mr. Cobbe, in replying, said that the real solution of the problem was for the Government to.run its own ships. Until this was done it had the right to give some assistance to British shipping. The motion was carried.

Mr. ■ Harkness then moved that the resolution also be forwarded to the Harbours Association, and this was agreed to by the board.