UNITED STATES SHIPPING

Evening Star, Issue 24917, 15 July 1943, Page 5

UNITED STATES SHIPPING

IMPORTANT FACTOR IN WAR (Rec. 11.55 a.m.) LONDON, July 14. " Britain at the outbreak of the war had about 20,000,000 tons if merchant shipping, but cannot expect to have more than 9,000.000 when the war ends," said Mr E. Shinwell, M.P., in, the House of Commons. " The United States entered the war with 7,000,000 tons of merchant shipping, and will have at least 15,000,000 and possibly 30,000,000 when the war ends. We are dealing with an America of big business which believes in using huge reserves to develop her investment policy all over the world into which her snipping policy will be fitted. Our 9,000,000 tons won't he able to talk on equal terms with her. great tonnage of very speedy, efficient, and highly-subsidised shipping. The British Government must frame a longterm and far-sighted .policy.'" Mr.Shinwell suggested that the. Government should experiment in nationalisation by taking over the ocean carriage of fruit and meat. " The United States has treated us with generous understanding," said Mr Noel Baker. "We can never express our gratitude for its shipping programme, which is winning the war. We believe we can work with the United States in ipeace as in war." Sir Arthur Salter, replying for. th« Government, said he regarded the United States' shipping output with gratitude arid joy. The shipping situation twice during-the war was so serious that it threatened the whole issue olj the war The United States twice restored the balance. Sir Arthur expressed the opinion that at present it. was unwise for Britain to state any postwar plans for the mercantile ruaryie.