PACIFIC SHIPPING

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 224, 21 August 1945, Page 5

PACIFIC SHIPPING

BIG CHANGES EXPECTED. BRITAIN PREPARED. (N.Z. Press Association.—Copyright.) (Rec. 10.10 a.m.) LONDON, Aug. 20 Big changes can be expected in the Pacific shipping situation almost immediately, says the Evening Standard. An early announcement on reductions in marine insurance is expected. The cessation of convoys will mean a rarhd speed-up in all shipping services; convoys will continue only until the minefields are cleared and the last Japanese submarines are i rounded up. ! This does not mean that tho shipping situation will be eased. Commitments may be even more widespread due to the continuous movement of troops and prisoners. Tho present arrangements provide for the control of all Allied shipping for another six I months. Shipping circles express the opinion that ships will then revert to their old routes and owners will again be free to operate when and where they like to defeat Japan's bid foi ' tho capture of the world trade routes. j Tho British Merchant Navy will now I be in an invincible position in tho Far ! East. British shipyards for months ! have been building fast express freight | liners which will be ready to take : over Britain's old trade routes in six i months. ! In Washington the Maritime CoiriI mission has announced the cancellation l of contracts totalling 425.000,000 dob lars covering the construction of 135 ships -and three contracts for special military equipment. One contract was for 24 "small tankers for Britain under Lend-Lease.