CANADIAN TRANSPORTATION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 26 June 1931, Page 5

CANADIAN TRANSPORTATION

SUGGESTED COMMISSION OF INVESTIGATION

GOVERNMENT MERCANTILE FLEET

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright)

(Received G6tli June, 9 a.m.) OTTAWA, 25th June,

Tho appointment of a Government commission to investigate the general transportation situation in Canada was suggested by Sir Henry Thornton, president of tlie Canadian National Railways, before the Parliamentary committee on oil railway and shipping to-day. A national transportation, policy could be devised not only concerning railways, but the St. Lawrence waterways, highways, bus traffic, and general shipping. The commission should bo composed of business, meiij economists, and uiou schooled in industrial and trade matters. Some decision should be reached as to whether the Canadian Government merchant marino fleet of thirty freight ships should bo continued. “Wo should either go into tlie business with effective. weapons or ge,t out of it.” Sir Henry also said it was folly to continue as at •present with boats deteriorating and becoming .antiquated. “Personally T recommend that we get out of the business,” he said. When Dr Petorfe McGibbon (Conservative) asked in connection with tlm suggested commission if amalgamation of nil transport systems should be considered, Sir Henry Thornton said lie would not define the limits of reference. Before tho committee on tho previous day Sir Henry said that the Canadian .National Railways was considering a. scheme of pooling passenger ships on the Pacific coast with those of the Canadian Pacific, extending tlie present services of tlie two companies to San Francisco.