BRITISH SHIPPING

Evening Star, Issue 21945, 4 February 1935, Page 11

BRITISH SHIPPING

SUBSIDIES FOR MERCHANT FLEETS THIRD READING DF BILL (British Official Wireless.) Association—By Telegraph-Copyright RUGBY, February 1.

The House of Commons has passed the third reading of the Government Bill designed to assist by way of subsidy the owners of British tramp ships, to meet competition from foreign subsidised vessels, and also to provide assistance by means of loans on special terms to British shipowners, as an incentive for them to improve their merchant fleets.

Mr Walter Runcinian (president ot the Board of Trade) said the Government hoped that steps would be taken by shipowners to adjust supply to demand in international manner, and that they might- achieve their object and so lead foreign Governments to give up uneconomic subsidies. Great Britain would co-operate, but in the meantime she would make it quite clear that in so far as other countries gave artificial assistance to their merchant fleets, Great Britain would have to proceed with similar proposals still, and would provide in the current year £2,000,000 by way of subsidy. Reviewing the practice in other countries, Mr Runcinian said that in 1902-33 the United States paid £5,000,000 in shipping subsidies, Italy £3,000,000, and Japan £1,000,000. If such subsidised competition continued without corresponding action at Home, Great Britain would, in the event of future war, bo in a perilous position. Only by having an immense number of units and vessels of the fast type could she hold her own. He announced the names of the Subsidy Committee, whose chairman will be Sir Vernon Thompson. LABCUR OPPOSITION

LONDON, February 1

Mr C. Addison, on behalf of Labour, moved the rejection of the Bill. He complained that the conditions attaching to the subsidy were unsatisfactory, as they did not insist on the employment of British labour, or that the voyages must include British Empire ports. No Britishers whatever were employed on some British ships. Mr Runciman, in the course of a reply, said that the dominions had their own shipping policies, which were of a nationalistic character. In some directions they had been not ready to harmonise with those of Britain, but he believed that the dominions were gradually coming round to Britain’s view. It Was better to have an Empire policy as a whole. The Bill was read a third time by 147 votes to 37. PORTION OF WAGE GUT RESTORED LONDON, February 1. The Maritime Board to-day met sailors, firemen, and catering department representatives, and reached a settlement, restoring a quarter of the wages cut of 25s 3d. Officers’ rates vary in accordance with their certificates and the size fo their vessels. The wages of able seamen and firemen on monhtly articles, where shipowners provide food, will be raised to £8 6s 6'd and £8 16s 6cl respectively. The weges of men on weekly , articles, finding their own food, will be raised to £2 Ifs 6d.