SUPPLY OF SHIPS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17950, 18 November 1918, Page 4

SUPPLY OF SHIPS.

WHAT AMERICA IS DOING. By Tfl!«srr»ph--Prcia AB/toeialion— Copyright (Received November 17, 5.5 pun.) NEW YORK, November 16. Air Hurley, chairman of the United States Shipping Board, in an interview, said tiuit German passenger and freight vessels, which had been idle in German and Austrian ports for four years, may he used for transinirting American troops to tho United States and carry back food to the Central Powers and the Allies. Those vessels would replace seven of the large British, which are being used as American transports. Mr Hurley said that ships wore being built with comfortable crew quarters. When asked if sailors’ wages would bn reduced in order to enable the merchantmen to compete with those of other nations, he said, “Certainly not.” Tho wages matter would bo a question for further settlement. Air Hurley said that in order,to offset the high cost of labour under the American flag, compared with the cost of labour under other flags, one method would bo the use of modern machinery in loading and unloading ships, thus reducing the cost of tho operation. Plans for tho use of such machinery now were under consideration. Mr Hurley said the largest part of ono million tons of shipping which will he completed in United States yards in November and December would be placed in the South American and other trade routes-