STATE-OWED SHIPPING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18018, 17 February 1922, Page 6

STATE-OWED SHIPPING.

AUSTRALIAN EXPERIENCE.

SEVEN NEW SHIPS STILL IDLE.

The "E" class of vessels built in Australia for the Commonwealth Government have earned the title of " mystery ships," says the Melbourne correspondent of the Sydney Daily Telegraph. Although 11 steamers of this type have been constructed for the caigo trade, since the beginning of 1920, only four have been placed in commissfOn. The remaining seven have been launched with much ceremony and then allowed to remain idle in various ports. When the Prime Minister, in a recent speoch claimed that the Commonwealth Line of steamers had shown a net profit of £1,650,387, after allowing for writing down of the whole of the capital cost, only passing referonce was made to the cost of the "E " class vessels. Thoy aro steel cargo ships of 6000 tons each. The Eudunda, which was launched on March 29, 1920, is not yet in commission. The manager of the Commonwealth Line disclaims all responsibility in connection with the idle vessels, and places the onus on the Commonwealth Ship Construction branch. The director of shipbuilding advances no reason why the vessels have not been handed over to the Commonwealth Line, and another official declares that the matter "is far too delicate " to discuss. In addition six other steamers of the line are out of commission through lack of cargo.