Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, APRIL 18th., 1936. SHIPPING SERVICES.

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 April 1936, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, APRIL 18th., 1936. SHIPPING SERVICES.

AT one end of the Empire, Britain is celebrating the construction of the world’s greatest liner, the Queen Mary, which it is hoped will prove that Britannia .can still rule the waves, when challenged. At the other end, New Zealand is faced with the stoppage of an old and essential oceanic service, that of the British-owned lines plying between the Dominion and North America. New Zealand cannot really believe that such facilities for travel and transport will cease, although earlier warnings have been given that the shipping companies concerned cannot continue the heavy annual deficits incurred mainly through the competition of Government-subsidised American concerns. Few words are necessary to emphasise the serious position that would arise were the Pacific routes monopolised by foreigners, and it may be taken for granted that such a regrettable development will be averted. Owing to the fact that the Union S.S. Co. is now part of a London combine, some of the former strong national sentiment "in favour of the Union Co., has gone, but the history of the Company is so intertwined with the history of New Zealand, that there would be considerable regret if an important link were broken. On the other hand, there must be a limit, to the financial, help given, and there will be few to deny that Mr. Savage took the right attitude in declaring; that if Government money is used 1 : to help to run the British services,! 1 the Government must have ado- •

qnate measure o£ control. The proposal that U.S.A, ships

should be barred from using N.Z. ports is not practicable. The only , pressure that could be brought would be a. national determination to use none but British ships for Pacific, transport. That wholehearted preference has not been encouraged in the past, even Cabinet Ministers and others travelling at public expense, not hesitating to patronise the foreign-owned ships, whim their convenience would be furthered. Moreover, the American ships are welcomed in some quarters, Auckland particularly gaining many honest pounds, through calls at that port. Closing the door to foreign ships, even if it were possible, would mean serious loss to New Zealand, and, generally, public opinion does not favour so drastic a step. The international complications that might follow an embargo, would be important, and would certainly tend to check An-glo-American trade and goodwill. The question has long been debated in Britain, Australia, and New Zealand, and a conference is now being held to see if a workable plan to help the British ships, can be evolved. Britain is not prepared to go so far, financially, and in other ways, as some in the Dominions urge, and in both New Zealand and vYustralia, there is also reluctance to pay the subsidies the shipping companies declare to be necessary. Compromise is the onlv solution. Govern-

ment grants may be increased, either by direct allowances, or increased majl contract rates, but the shipping companies will have Io take their full share of the responsibility. They have grown from small beginnings to their/present size, and that development would not have been possible had they not received loyal support from the countries they were serving. The Governments concerned should be unmoved by threats or bluster, for as Mr. Savage pointed out, the job will be carried on by some service, or another. He might have added that what the British-owned shipping companies lose on the swings, they more than gain on the roundabouts.