GIANT CUNARDER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21503, 29 May 1933, Page 15

GIANT CUNARDER

HOPES FOR NEW SHIP STATEMENT BY CHAIRMAN Discussions between the Cunard Company and the Government on the question of completing "No. 53-1," the halfbuilfc giant liner on which work has been suspended at Clydebank, were referred to by Sir Percy Bates last month when presiding over the annual meeting of the company at Liverpool. The actual hull, he said, is in perfect order, and both that and. her unfinished machinery have in no way suffered from the suspension of work. "As regards," Sir Percy said, "the theory underlying the ship and her sister, this has emerged successfully from a great deal of criticism and inquiry. The ships are the right ships to build. -Lhis is admitted by the Government, and, as implied by the Chancellor's speech on February 16, the Government, is willing to help us to build them 011 terms. The terms I am endeavouring to achieve. I carefully avoid saying 'endeavouring to comply with,' for liie terms include reference to third parties. "The board has complied with every general indication, as to methods, that has been received, directly or indirectly, from the Government. Beyond this, ail I. can say on '.No. o.J4' and her sister is that I am continuing to work, and so soon as I have secured anything at all definite the board will not fail to inform you at once." In a reference to Atlantic passenger rates, Sir <Percy said the reductions forced 011 the company last year by competitors had cost it over £4.00,000, and had been of little value in stimulating traffic. Ho added: "The Atlantic passenger rates are fixed by -agreement among the lines forming the Atlantic conference, which has for some time been attempting a complete reclassification irt the hope of establishing a more equitable relationship between the ships and the different classes of accommodation. "1 regret that very little progress in this direction has been possible. The situation is a serious one, and the failure to find a solution for the difficulty within the scope of the Atlantic conference agreement may well have the effect of forcing a solution outside of