SHIPPING OUTLOOK

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIII, Issue 73, 27 March 1919, Page 6

SHIPPING OUTLOOK

AUyTH.AI.IAJN MAIL SERVICE (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association) (Eec. March £7, 10.15 a. m.)

LUNdJUJN, March 21. The Right Hon. Sir Joseph Mac Lay (Shipping Controller), (it (the Australian and New Zealand Club, said tha- it would be tvyelve months before it would be possible to restore the Australian mail service on anything like the old basis. He -bought the owners were doing their utmost. It was impossible that/ the new mail contract would be anything like as favourable as the old, owing to -vessels costing two and a half to three times as much. If the P. and 0. secures the mail contracit will use whi e crews in the Australian trade, but it ns impossible : -o man the mercantile marine with British labour *alone. Negotiations -between -he Board of Tracje apd shop owners were proceeding regarding the ,terms applying to vessels released'-'from Government control, and the cohdffions under which "-hey are to bp,.worked in future to secure precedence -,qf Gov&rnmlent cargo. » All Would 'probably be handed to dock owners /within a month, as ihe Ministry Shipping wa s going out of business’ SHORTAGE OF MAIL STEAMERS. (Rec. March Z7, 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, March 21. A leading authority on Australian shipping, interviewed regarding the prospect of post-war mail service, ridicules the suggestion tha:- the Australian Government should purchase large speedy-vessels for the conveyance ot mails and perishable goods. Everyone wants such vessels, which do not exist. The only vessels now purchasable are some standardised ships. Many mail boats used as mine 'layers, are absoln'eiv gutted, rails being, laid on the decks for mine conveyance. There L no seasoned timber for reconverting into passenger boats, and the staff of ar'leans is quite inadequate. It Will be ‘a couple of year? before a full supply of fittings is available.