SHIPPING POLICY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 263, 5 October 1936, Page 6

SHIPPING POLICY

COMMERCIAL VIEWPOINT. RECIPROCITY SUPPORTED. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Oct. 5. The Congress of the Chambers o Commerce of the British Empire commenced the business sessions to-day. The first subject was subsidies to shipping, several resolutions being embodied in one to the effect that, while reaffirming adherence to the principle of free, unrestricted, and unsub,sidised ocean transport services, the congress recommends to tlio Governments of the United Kingdom and the Dominions that trade facilities to foreign slapping trading between Empire ports should only be granted to the shipping of those countries giving similar facilities to Empire shipping, and that they should, whether by subsidy or otherwise, afford such assistance as would enable the British Mercantile Marine to remain, as in the past, one of the greatest bulwarks of the Empire, whether in peace or war. The mover was Mr Spencer V atts (Sydney), who particularly emphasised that what they wanted to get was similar treatment to that meted out to others: in other words, the application of the golden rule. They would prefer to have no discrimination against any flag provided there was none against them. The seconder was Mr A. M. Seaman (Auckland), who dealt particularly with the disabilities being suffered by British shipping in the Pacific through America’s subsidies, and between ports the restrictions to our own shipping, and constructional loans. The resolution was supported by the Australian and New Zealand delegates. „ ~ ~ Sir Thomas AVilfprd put forth the suggestion that Britain —the world s biggest purchaser—should use her purchasing power to secure equality to shipping. She had the power if she had the will, he said. Mr Jones (Cardiff, Swansea and South Wales) expressed the wish that the problem was as simple as the supporters of the resolution made it appear. He made the point that there was a grave danger that, by retaliation in the Pacific, they might drive the American nation into competition with shipowners in other parts of the world. They had not been as pure in Britain as they had been led to believe. He said Britain had been lending money cheaply abroad to build ships not required, and that had brought their own Nemesis in the end. What they should aim at was increased trade among the British peoples. Mr Gibson (Leeds) strongly opposed this view. He thought Mr Jones had overlooked their reaffirmation in resolution of freedom in ocean transport. Mr Gibson agreed with Sir Thomas Wilford that British shipping in the Pacific must be maintained. Mr Paxton (Sydney) gave a history of the Vancouver and. San Francisco services and made the point that the main trouble was the suitability of competing ships for the passenger trade. He hoped the resolution would be carried unanimously just as it was worded. Mr Wigglesworth (London) suggested that a conference should be held in London, concerning a subsidy and the form it should take. The resolution was carried with one dissentient voice.