CASE FOR OTTAWA

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 141, 16 June 1932, Page 9

CASE FOR OTTAWA

MATSON LINE COMPETITION

MR. H. D. BENNETTS VIEW.S

The competition of Matson vessels ■with British vessels in the Pacific was touched upon by Mr. H. D. Bennett, a member of .the' Wellington Harbour Board, who presided at the .annual meeting of the British Sailors' Society; last evening.

The problem of .what -was; known as "the Matson Line 'invasion)" said Mr. Bennett, could be briefly stated as follows: The "United' States of America forbids trading by ships in their territory, including Honolulu. . The TT.S.A. Government subsidises its Matson line by an allowance of approximately £1000, per. day, and sends two fast modern steamers to capture the trade of .three ■ British countries—Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji, ■; Our own Bhips on the same route are subsidised by a modest £70: a day. « Thereare ■[ no restrictions 'at our own' ports. It was known what Aineriea was doing with its tariff-walls, but this was anew. underground'fiscal adventure demoralising in its^effeet. The Prime Minister's reply to representations was that the subject -was beyond the jurisdiction of any one of the British countries concerned. Yet there was'in our Statute Books the necessary authority if the Government cared to use it.. -The .Government was probably right in that individual retaliation knight ,be 'inexpedient; ■ " : ;;.vJ >•-■;:/-":■.- ---'••ptlCK XO THE CONVOY." Mr. Bennett said that a- Swedish' statesman said, > concerning -Swedish trad- with England dnringthe war under the protection of the convoy,' "Let us not quit:the convoy. '' The phrase brought back vivia recollections of perilous times. During the war the convoy was. provided by friendy nations, as well as by our own .fleet -Buring the war we huddled, together under; the. cover of" protecting guardians, but our,own was ample in peace time. British ships,3ritish interest, and British sailors were a good enough convoy. If the Prime Minister was right and the Dominion Government powerless, our case should be takeit to Ottawa: The strong voice of Empire could speak there with no uncertain' emphasis^ The Wellington branch of the British. Sailors' Society made this appeal in ths interests of the men who made Empire possible. ' -.' i ; .''■ ■■■:'