SAFETY AT SEA

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 February 1936, Page 2

SAFETY AT SEA

LABOUR M.P.’S CHARGES. [BY CABLE—PRESS A 8 BN.—COPYRIGHT ] (Received February 12, 2 p.m.) LONDON, leoruary 11. Coinciding with the report of the Tramp Shipping Administrative Committee, saying the subsidy last year saved the British tramp shipping industry from collapse, the Commons debated a subsidy for 1936, not exceeding two million sterling. Mr Greenwood said the Labour Pary opposed the grant of further money, ‘‘to people some of whom had blood on their hands.”

In a bitter speech, he declared there were slums and sweatshops at sea, as bad as any on the land. He challenged any member to say there were not boats insured, which would leave port with the odds against a return, if foul weather were encountered. Labour demanded a drastic overhaul of the Merchant Shipping Act. Mr Alan Anderson did not agree that the Act needed revision. The Board of Trade had power to make regulations as new conditions arose, but improvement in safety at sea was not due to the regulaions, but mainly to the invention of the wireless. Shipowners had moved with the times, and made enormous improvements wih wonderful spectacular results. The subsidy was carried by 205 to 134.