SHIPBUILDING INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 118, 20 April 1931, Page 7

SHIPBUILDING INDUSTRY.

IDLE YARDS IN BRITAIN. LONDON, April 18. Commenting on the parlous condition of the shipbuilding industry, disclosed by Lloyd’s returns, the Statist points out the fact that shipyards with a productive capacity of more than 3,000,000 tons have work m hand amounting to under 700,000 tons. This means that only one berth out of four is occupied with vessels under construction. It is abundantly clear that this capacity, to build more than 3,000,000 tons is' wholly excessive and a sheer waste, for since 1922, there has never been more than 1,600,000 tons of shipping on hand in the yards. It is estimated that a capacity to build 1,500,000 tons of new’ shipping annually is adequate for present-day requirements. The simple fact is that shipbuilding is handicapped by the extraordinary development in the post-war boom of 1919-22. when that industry rose to heights of production that promptly saved British shipping from disaster, but is never likely to bo required again unless the world experiences another war of a like character.