COMMONWEALTH LINE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 26 April 1928, Page 7

COMMONWEALTH LINE

SALE COMPLETED. NEW OWNERS’ PLANS. THE BOYCOTT THREAT. fUNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—BY ELECTRIC ! r *'ELEC RAPH—COPYRIGHT.) (AUSTRALIAN PRESS ASSOCIATION.) CANBERRA, April 24., In the House of Representatives the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. S. M. Bruce, announced that a- contract with Lord Kylsant. for the sale of the Commonwealth liners had been signed and a deposit paid. —■ ; - SYDNEY, April 25. In addition, to Lord Kylsant’s tender on behalf of the White Star Line for the Commonwealth steamers (which was accepted), there were two others: Runciman, London, Limited, for £l,250,000, and Sir James Oonolly, on behalf of the Australian CommonwealthShipping Company, 1928, for £1,575,000.

Lord Kylsant lia® given an undertaking to maintain an equivalent service to that of the- Commonwealth line, and maintain an efficient Australian organisation. Mr S'. M. Bruce also announces that tenders will be invited for leasing the Cockatoo Island dockyard. He warn® the seamen that in the event of an attempt to boycott the vessels under the new ownership the Government will use whatever powers' it possesses and, if necessary, obtain additional powers to deal with the unions concerned.

LONDON, April 25. Mr Jolm MacMillan, ■ managed of the Aberdeen White Star Agency, who conducted negotiations on -behalf of Lord Kylsant, when interviewed, said there was a most hopeful outlook for the mew* venture, which ought to be popular amongst shippers. It was proposed to run the Bay Dale steamers in conjunction wibli the Shaw Savill Line, giving a fast fortnightly service to all ports, via Suez. The directors had consideredrenaming the steamers with the names of famous old Aberdeen liners like the Thermopylae, but had- decided that as the Commonwealth liners had the goodwill of the trade to retain their names. The company would be called the Aberdeen and Commonwealth Line. MELBOURNE, April 25. The president of the Mamie Stewards ’ Union states, that the marine transport group of unions is not to be deterred by the threats of Mr Bruce from putting-int-o effect the decision to declare Lord Kykjant’s ships black. SALE REGARDED AS SATISFACTORY. Received 11.10 a.m. to-day. SYDNEY, April 26. Mr. Larkin, chairman of the Commonwealth Shipping Board, that the sale of ships to the White * Star was most satisfactory .particularly as the Bay steamers had reached an age when the cost of upkeep was rapidly increasing. Lord Kylsant had! . agreed to take over suitable officers, engineers and other ratings already employed on these boats,