THE LOSS OF SHIPS

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 150, 21 December 1940, Page 12

THE LOSS OF SHIPS

EXPORTS IN DANGER

AUSTRALIAN VIEWS

BUILDING URGED

(By Trans-Tasman Air Mail, from "The Post's" Representative.)

SYDNEY, December 19,

British shipping losses through enemy action have reached a stage where Australia's export trade to Britain is being seriously threatened. According to Sir Thomas Gordon, Australian representative of the British Ministry of Shipping, plans have been made to provide greatly increased storage space in Australia for primary produce, to meet the early possibility of strict curtailment of export shipments, owing to lack of tonnage.

Sir Thomas Gordon predicted the development of a large export trade with the Middle East, which would provide an outlet for much Australian produce to offset any temporary restriction on exports to Britain. He advocated a vigorous programme of merchant shipbuilding in Australia, subject to Navy requirement being met first.

"If the shipyards are not available, then let us build them," he said. "The Australian worker is very adaptable, and I am sure sufficient artisans couid be obtained to ensure success of a shipbuilding programme. It was done in the last war, so why not in this? From the beginning of the war until recently, we have had, a good supply of tonnage, but what the position will be in the New Year is very difficult to forecast. The loss of so many ships, including several in our own coastal waters, is bound to have a serious effect on Australia's exports, some of which are of a perishable character. THE NEED FOR STORAGE. "Britain may soon have to adopt a policy of sending many of her ships to countries closer to her own shores for supplies, thus avoiding the long journey to and from Australia. We shall then have much of our exportable farm produce on our hands. To meet the possibility of this /situation, increased storage will .be provided. Available tonnage is being well spread to relieve the situation,. cargoes high on the list of priority being the first to be shipped." Australia's shipyards are at present being totally used for the building of destroyers and patrol vessels, and the Federal Government so far has been unable to give encouragement to advocates of a programme of merchant shipbuilding. Labour difficulties comprise one of the drawbacks to starting new shipyards, unionists claiming that the decay of shipbuilding after the last war ca,used a departure from the trade of shipwrights. BUILDING OF SHIPS. At least two Federal Ministers, Mr. Hughes (Navy) and Mr. Harrison (Customs), urge that the building of merchant ships should be undertaken now, despite labour difficulties. Mr. Hughes, as the then Prime- Minister, sponsored shipbuilding in Australia during the last war, and today he is looking back on what was done 25 years ago without finding convincing - arguments against the enterprise.

"What was done then;" he said, "can be done now. Facilities are now much greater, and the steel frames and plates can all be obtained in Australia, instead of being imported, as they were during the last war. When this war is over, Australia will have to play its part in the new order in the Pacific, and I hope she will play the part of an adult, not an adolescent. The development of such industries as shipbuilding is vital."