MERCHANT NAVY

Evening Post, Volume c, Issue 54, 5 March 1934, Page 9

MERCHANT NAVY

EARL BEATTY'S INTEREST

COASTWISE SHIPPING

(From "The Post's" Representative.) LONDON, January 19. A letter from. Earl Beatty was read at a luncheon in connection, with tho inspection of the-' British Coast, the largest motor coastal liner yet built. "In these days when the plight of our shipping industry is giving the gravest concern to those in authority and to the nation at large,' 5 said Lord Bcatt}', "tho claims of British coastwise shipping ought not to pass unheeded. I trust that, whatever measures may bo propounded by tho Grovernment for the defence of British shipping, they will bo followed by a speedy improvement in the condition of every branch of the industry, including tho coastal" trade, which will reflect itself in increased employment for the officers and men of the/Merchant Navy, with whom my sympathies so deeply lie. "The building of up-to-date ships for both tramp and liner work shows that the spirit of self-help is inherent in the coastal industry. Such enterprises are doing much to maintain the prestige of coastal shipping and will, I hope, lead many to explore tho possibilities of seaways transport. Manufacturers and merchants could, with advantage to themselves, do much to encourage the building of our coastal fleets by consigning a definite proportion of their goods by the seaways; while municipal authorities and others concerned, directly or indirectly, in handling goods and materials in bulk might render real and practical help by stipulating 'ship British' where the coastal routes are concerned." The British Coast has a shallow draught, and the immense hold of the vessel, which has a capacity of 92,000 cubic feet, is a veritable warehouse. Being Diesel engincd sho is easily manoeuvred. Such of the cablo news on this pajrc as Is so headed has appeared in "•The Tiroes" and is cabled to Australia and Now Zealand hy special permission. It should bo understood that the opinions .ire not. Ihosc of "The Times" unless expressly stated to be so.