SHIP BUILDING.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17329, 18 November 1916, Page 9

SHIP BUILDING.

POSITION IN BRITAIN. INTERVIEW WITH SIR JAMES MILLS. [From Ora Cobbespohdent.] DUNEDIN, November 17. Sir James Mills, who has returned to Dunedin after an absence of nearly three years, during most of which tune he has resided in England, has made interesting statements to a Dunedin "Star” interviewer. Sir James remarked that he is utterly unable to say anything as to what changes in shipping matters are likely to come about in the near future. The questions of British displacing German ocean trade on certain routes, and of Japanese competition, and, indeed, of all things relating to ocean-borne commerce, depend largely upon the settlement after the war. Meanwhile there is no cause for undue anxiety. The people in the Old Country, roused by the appeals of Mr Lloyd George, who fired their imagination and revealed to them their strength, are now confident as to the complete success of Britain and her Allies. It is a hopeful sign that permission now has been given tq go on with a certain amount of merchant shipbuilding. In the largest yards builders are still fully occupied with Admiralty work, hut facilities aro given as much as possible for going on with vessels tho keeh of which were laid before the outbreak of war, vessels intended for use in the more important branches of the Empire’s trade, such as the carrying of meat and grain. In this connection Sir James mentioned that two ships aro being built by the Union Company for tho meat trade, to . run in conjunction with vessels of the Federal line. Tho pro- j gress in the construction of these ships is slow, and they will not •bo launched for a while, but it is satisfactory to know that work is enabled .to be carried on. A little while before leaving the Old Country Sir James presided at the annual meeting of the Institute of Marine Engineers, and in the course of his remarks he said it was difficult to forecast the position of British shipping after the war. The practical control by British shipping of the seaborne commerce of the world would no longer remain unchallenged, hut whatever revolutionary chauges might be made he was satisfied that in competition for th© most efficient and economical forms of machinery British engineers would lead the way. In regard *to the work of the New Zealand War Contingent Association, Sir James Mills is in a position to speak with first-hand knowledge, and it is satisfactory to learn that he is quit© pleased with the arrangements that are made for the comfort of those New Zealand soldiers who got to England. He says that the organisation of the association is now complete and the management is undoubtedly in capable hands, so that no New Zealander is likely to be lost sight of. Sir James is very hopeful about the scheme for joining up the association with the New Zealand Red Cross Association. The outcome is likely to be a very strong organisation on the lines of tho British scheme.