SHIPPING QUESTION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17935, 31 October 1918, Page 4

SHIPPING QUESTION.

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE RESOLUTIONS.

fPrnt Press Association.]

WELLINGTON, October 30,

At tho conference of the Associated Chambers of Commerce to-day Mr Massey said that undoubtedly shipping was tho key to tho prosperity of the country. Even from the Imperial point of view it was necescr: ■ that communication with Britain must be improved. Ho rend tho following resolution carried at tho Imperial War Conference on July 26, aud now announced for tho first time:—

“ (1) That in order to maintain satisfactory connections and at tho same time encourage commercial and industrial relations between the different countries of the British Empire this conference is of opinion that shipping on tho principal routes, especially between the heart of the Empire and the oversea dominions, including India, should be brought under review by an inter-imperial board, on which tho United Kingdom and British dominions and dependencies should bo represented.

“(2) That for this purpose an Imperial investigation hoard, representing the various parts of tho Empire, should be appointed with power to inquire into and report on all matters connected with ocean freights and facilities, and on all matters connected with the development and improvement of sea communications between the different parts of the Empire, with special reference to tho size and typo of ships and capacities of harbours, the board to include, in addition to representatives of the Governments concerned, persons with expert knowledge of the problems involved, including representatives of shipping and trading interests on the board it was proposed t 0 Massey added that the New Zealand representative would probably bq tho High Commissioner at the time or his second in command.