U.S.A. AFFAIRS

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 September 1943, Page 5

U.S.A. AFFAIRS

■ MERCANTILE MARINE NEW YORK, August 30. The American Merchant Marine Institute is noting the fact that the United States will have after the war “a preponderance of the world s ocean-going tonnage, as well as competent personnel.” The Institute has therefore proposed a ten-point programme. Most important of these points is that there shall be a reservation of a defence pool of five million tons of shipping to be stored in the American inland waters for an emergency, but not to be used in competition with private shipping. Other points are:—The eventual transfer of the U.S. Governmentowned ships to private interests. The continuance of the U.S. Maritime . Commission’s building programme so as to help the American shipping companies to carry a greatly-increased foreign trade. The modernisation and expansion of the American domestic fleet. The servicing of the Axis trade routes by American vessels. The participation of American vessels in tramp shipping which, says the Institute, “offers many opportunities for trade penetration under both friendly or un« friendly auspices.” It adds that America’s shipping policy should be formulated with due regard for legitimate interests of the Allies. However, it must be emphasised that the American merchant fleet is a national asset, and has been paid for by the United States taxpayers. NEW “HORNET.” NEW YORK, August 31. Mrs. Knox, wife of the Secretary for the Navy, launched the aircraftcarrier “Hornet,” of 25,000 tons, a successor to the original “Hornet,” which was lost in the Battle of Santa Cruz on October 26 last. JEWISH CONFERENCE. NEW YORK, August 31. A nation-wide Jewish conference, held in New York, demanded that immediate steps be taken to rescue as many Jews as possible from Nazicontrolled European countries, ■ and also demanded the establishment of a Jewish Commonwealth in Palestine. RAILWAY SMASH. NEW YORK. August 31. At least 25 were killed and 100 injured when the New York-Buffalo express struck a freight locomotive 75 miles from Buffalo.