Manawatu Evening Standard. SATURDAY, AUG. 28, 1937. SHIPPING SUPREMACY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 230, 28 August 1937, Page 8

Manawatu Evening Standard. SATURDAY, AUG. 28, 1937. SHIPPING SUPREMACY.

At no stage in the world’s history, from the time of the Phoenician traders and the days of Drake and Raleigh, has the importance of the sea routes loomed so large on the stage of international affairs as to-day. The record of British trade development has been the story of a wisely utilised sea power, adequately protected in times of emergency by a strong navy and ; capably directed by far-seeing 1 executives. But in more recent years new elements have entered into the situation; the call for protection has been promoted not by concern for possible losses through warfare so much as ap- ■ prehension induced by the ship- ’ ping policies of other Powers. Quotas and tariffs, preferential treatment and route restrictions have played a part that even the most farseeing pioneers of such services could never have visualised. The Pacific and Tasman spheres have engaged the keenest attention of the shipowners and Governments con- > cerned, and it would appear that British interests have resolved, in the traditional manner, that the best answer the Empire can present to foreign competition is the operation of a superior service. To that end, with Government assistance, the construction of two modern liners for operation in the Pacific is proposed. In view of this decision the intention of the American Government to embark on a new programme of expansion of merchant shipping is the more interesting. A recent cablegram from Washington indicated that plans had been submitted to Congress for the construction of sixty freighters, twenty-five passenger ‘ ships, and ten tankers, the total cost being nearly 257 million dollars. The United States is at the moment Great Britain's nearest competitor, but British registraj tions of seagoing mechanically propelled vessels are 83 per cent, ahead of America and Britain has a lead of 7(1 per cent, on the tonnage basis. The most recent statistics compiled by the International Labour Office disclose a total world tonage in the vicinity of 54 millions, shared by nearly fifteen thousand vessels of a tonnage of four hundred or more, exclusive of warships. Forty-six per cent, of the tonnage at the ' date of the survey was registered by Britain and the United States, the Empire possessing 3424 vessels against 1868 owned by America, and a tonnage of nearly sixteen million against nine millions. Since that time, however, very considerable expansion has been enjoyed by British interests and shipping yards throughout the British Isles have experienced an accel-

eration of business unparalleled since the depression years. It is an activity incidental to a care-fully-planned, deliberate policy to serve the Empire’s trade routes with up-to-date vessels. While Britain continues to “rule the waves” so far as tonnage is concerned, it is patent that no loophole is to be left for preference to be extended to the ships of any other nation on the score of comfort and efficiency. The United States has rigorously. enforced her regulations prohibiting British ships from operating within her territorial waters, and in the Dutch East Indies the Netherlands flag remains supreme. Paced with such an impassive situation, British engineers and designers are evolving increasingly luxurious and efficient liners to earn the patronage of travellers. Difficult as is the position, and though there is at the moment little to encourage the hope of ending the present uneconomic competition, linked with a spirit of mutual accommodation in the diplomatic sphere the present remarkable activity in the shipbuilding trade might nevertheless presage unexcelled service on an equitable basis.