STATE SHIPPING A FAILURE.

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 7, 8 July 1922, Page 12

STATE SHIPPING A FAILURE.

Speaking at a "smoko" concert given by :the Cunard 'Line on'; the occasion of the Berengaria, the bix 'ex-German liner, leaving the Tyno for Southampton, in. May last, Mr. J. Havelook Wilson, secretary of the British Seamen's Union, said he believed that the British mercanfile marine would remain supreme, despite the efforts- which were: baing made in tho United to pass' Subsid- Bills. Any industry which was fed by the State was controlled' by , the' State, and was bound to bo a failure. * It was deplorable to ccc hundreds _of thousands of men idle, and trade going to foreign' countries, >but he believed that many .who represented Labour were beginning to realise that unless those who owned capital were doing well, it was impossible for the • workers .to do :wall. He believed that it would yet be possible to reach Buoh an undertaking between Capital and Labour that great, and serious disputes would bo things of the past, to the benefit'of the country, and, most of aU, to the benefit of its working men.

A LUXURIOUSLY FURNISHED SHIP

As in the Leviathan, the work on the Majestic of the marine arohiteot, whoso leanings towards art are presumed, to be more pronounced than those- of the naval arohiteot, has been greatly 'facilitated by the arrangement ?of. the funnel uptakes. These aro carried up: the sides of .the .vessel, leaving-large central spaces to be devoted to accommodation .'for passengers. With this unusual-degree of freedom in which to work out Ma plans, the designer of the interior has achieved some..very impresiive results. He has, in fact, excelled the success which was achieved in the caso of the'earlier ship, and there is really no saying how much further he may yet go in the provision of luxurious accommo--dation for !;. voyagers, Theiro are staterooms on seven decks amidships for firstclass passengers, and oh each of the five higher decks the double staircase, which runs'.centrally throughout-tho accommodation, opens on to a vestibule which is a. big *,s the social hall in'many a liner, and is furnished quite as luxuriously. The dining saloon which, is-on "FM deck i« claimed to be tho loftiest ever built in a. ship. Its total area is 11,350 sqi ft,, and the middle part, which has an area of 2300 sq. ft., has a hriffhi'of no less than 31ft. At its sides there are widoly-spaced lonic pillaurs, and overhead, in the centre of the ceiling, is ah oval shaped d<sme, beautifully painted, and illuminated by means, of hidden electric lights. Walls, ceilings, and pillars are in white, relieved with gold, and exceptional: artistic care has been taken in the selection of the furniture and furnishings.