AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT SHIPS.

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 36, 11 August 1923, Page 14

AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT SHIPS.

The loss <jf the Sumatra on the New South Wales coast has thrown the limelight on Government owned ships. a the Federal .House of Representatives Mr. Mann (W.A.)' asked if, -in view of the allegations being made against the seaworthiness of other Government yes- ■ sels, the Ministry would instruct the Royal Commission appointed to inquire ' into the logs o£ the Sumatra ,to. also investigate the condition of the other -

ships.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Bruce) said that the Commission could inquire only into tie loss of. the 'Sumatra, but -i till inquiries were being made into the condition of the other ships. Until the result of those inquiries were known, the .Administrator of New Guina had been, instructed that the. ships' '"were, not to leave the coast. ' y The Leader of .the. Opposition; (Air. Charltbh) said that there was £reai uneasiness among seafarers about the condition of many vessels trading on tne Australian coast. He asked* if .the Commission would inquire into the condition- of these vessels; J" -i

' Mr. Bruce said that the Ministry cduld riot consider the extension'of the scope o* the Commission to include all vessels trading in or around Australian ports. If any evidence were adduced against vessels trading around the Australian coast, the Ministry would' take immediate action. 'L