PACIFIC SHIPPING

Grey River Argus, 17 September 1937, Page 7

PACIFIC SHIPPING

British Subsidy Han THE DOMINIONS’ PART. [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn ] CANBERRA, September 16. Mr Lyons announced officially, in the House of Representatives, that the Commonwealth Government would enter into an agreement with the other Empire Governments to establish a subsidised British shipping service in the Pacific. Mr Lyons indicated that there will be no chance of introducing legislation to ratify the agreement until after the elections. He did not explain why, but it is understood the

reason is that obstacles have been raised by the Canadian and New Zealand Governments. WELLINGTON, September 16. “I do not know of any obstacle in the way at all,” stated the Prime Minister to-day, when commenting on a message from Canberra stating that obstacles had been raised by New Zealand and Canada, in regard to the ratification of the agreement for a subsidised British shipping service in the Pacific. Mr Savage intimated that the necessary legislation would be passed by the New Zealand Government this session. Mi’ Savage pointed out that certain conditions would have to be agreed to. “We are naturally trying to get the best conditions we can,” he continued, ‘“conditions, for instance, for the crews of vessels. We are not going to put our money into any concern, without knowing something o

the conditions which are to obtain in carrying out the service. We are just as anxious as the Australian Government to see a properly-established shipping service brought into being at the earliest possible moment. The Commonwealth is holding an election next month, so that it is quite fair for the Government there to say that it cannot introduce legislation before then." Questioned regarding the New Zealand Government’s intentions on this point, Mr Savage said he could see no reason whatever why the necessary legislation should not be passed this session. He had seen plans of the ships, and they appeared to be verygood. As far as he could see, the accommodation. was good, but they had to be satisfied also about the wages of the crew and conditions of their employment. The country in which ,fthe boat was registered would decide

what conditions would apply. That appeared to be the only- substantial thing in> the way, and he would not say’ that that was in the way. He added: “We have been in communication with Australia during the last day or two, but owing to pending elections, the statement made is not an unreasonable one. Every day means somthing to them.” LONDON, September 15. The “Daily Mail.” in an editorial entitled “Hoisting the Blue Peter,” welcomes Mr Lyons’s announcement and urges now that the British Government, in conjunction with the Dominions. has decided to support the merchant navy, it must be prepared to continue unwaveringly to secure a fair field without favour in the Pacific. It is useless waiting for competitors to abandon fierce discrimination against British lines. Subsidymust be met by subsidy, and restric-

tions by- counter-measures. If British vessels are granted help equalling that for foreign rivals, it will not be long before the Red Ensign is again supreme in the Pacific. The “Daily Mail” expects vessels to aggregate a value of three millions sterling, with a speed of twenty-two knots, to carry 425 first-class, three hundred cabin, and one hundred third class passengers. THE AORANGI. SUVA, September 16. The liner Aorangi sailed at 5 p.m. for Auckland.