America's Merchant Marine

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 189, 12 August 1936, Page 12

America's Merchant Marine

COMMERCE AND DEFENCE The ocoau mail contract is abolished. In its place a system of shipping subsidies has been endorsed, at the instance of Preident Roosevelt, by Congress, which comprehends the construction in the next seven years of 2UO passenger and cargo vessels, estimated to cost 350,000,000 dollars. They will be vessels of high speed and adaptable for use as naval aux.liarics. The action of Congress, taken on tho eve of the conference m London regarding British ships in the Pacific, leaves no doubt that the United States intends to intensify, rather than reduce, its competition in the Pacific. The intention of the new law, as stated in the preamble, is "to further the development and maintenance of an adequate, well-balance merchant marine, to promote tho commerce of the United States and to aid iu the national defence.” Auxiliaries to Navy Those who favour Government aid foi the merchant marine are almost fanatically convinced that it is essential to the well-being of the nation in peace and iu war. Over a year ago the President asked Congress to pass the new law. Conflict of opinion among experts and other opposition delayed passage until the dying hours of Congress. The President’s objective is that at least half tho United States’ foreign commerce shall be carried in American bottoms, manned by American officers and crews. He wants the ships built in American yards, to designs incorporating features that would enable them to bo turned, with a minimum of effort, into auxiliary fighting ships., American products must, he says, gain access to world markets under fair competitive conditions. American firms must not be left to the mercy of foreign shipping companies, to raise passenger and freight rates to levels they' might arrange by agreement among themselves. Levels of Wages. The United States Department of Commerce has made the following estimate of comparative levels of wages paid on cargo ships of 5000 tons or more, of the six principal registries:— United States, 100; France, 74; Germany;) OS; Great Britain, 04; Italy, SS; Japan, 25. The new law, known as the Ship Subsidy" Act, aims to replace, gradually and progressively, tho large number of obsolete and obsolescent ships now operating under the American flag with new, fast, economical vessels.