Shipping Competition

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6628, 15 August 1931, Page 5

Shipping Competition

OBJECTION TO THE MATSON LINE M.P. CONFRONTED BY INTERNATIONAL LAWS Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Aug. 14. In the House of Representatives today, Mr W. P. Endean advocated the taking of some action in connection with the operations of the Matson shipping line in trading with New Zealand. He referred to the Jones-White Act, under which this United States line was subsidised, and said that in. the very preamble of the Act itself it was stated that assistance was being given to enable United States commerce to be extended and to provide auxiliary shipping services in time of war. It must be realised that Britain had been reduced to a parity with the United States in respect to naval armament, and her personnel was actually less. Would the publie of New Zealand acquiesce in sweeping our own shipping off the Pacific? British vessels were not allowed to trade between Honolulu and United States ports. He drew attention to the already unfavourable trade balance with America, and submitted that the public should assert itself and insist on American vessels trading on an equal footing with Brit-ish-owned vessels.

Hon. J. B. Donald: How could you do that? Mr Endean: Don’t let American vessels trade between New Zealand ports. Mr Donald: How could you stop them?

Mr Endean: This House would pass the necessary legislation. Mr Donald: International shipping laws would not allow it.

Mr Endean: We’d soon see about that.