THE QUESTION OF SHIPS.

Grey River Argus, 14 April 1916, Page 3

THE QUESTION OF SHIPS.

ALLEGED SHORTAGE, (Per United Press Association.) . LONDON, April 12. Mr. R. P. Houston, a shipowner who was interviewed by the Daily Mail, said that the shortage pf shipping* threatened to create the war's most serious problem. Thereon depended not merely tht price of foodstuffs but whether foodstuffs would be available. He estimated the British losses since the beginning of the war at 940 ship's, representing 3,000,000 tons Between one-third and one-haif of the nations food was brought in neutral ships. If Germany frightened the neutrals, what tym \ hage would be left? '. • j Mr. Houston suggests the release of all ships' not needed for national service, a demand on neu jtrals to make them utilise interned enemy ships and tbe seizure in neutral waters of a German ship f-or every neutral sank. . Mr. Houston- indicts the Govern men't for the Admiralty's waste of tonnage, and the weak handling of the situation. He mentions that an expert committee re cently investigated the matter in the Mediterranean, He will be surprised if the report is published, because it is confirmatory of the Government's foolish waste of tonnage. In the House of Commons, Lord Robert Cecil said that the Govern merit was considering the" question of employing enemy shipping sheltering in neutral ports: Neutral Governments must first decide the matter, taking into can sideration that the destruction of merchantmen had affected riieu 1 - 1 tral trade as well as that of the belligerents. The Government would carief ully consider any pro posals made by the neutrals. The North German Lloyds '. annual report admits that its shipping trade is at a standstill. It j states that five of its ships have been captured by the enemy, while others are lying at various ports. Five vessels have been requisitionied by the Australian Government, and. will be paid for accordingly when; the- way .is' -over.