TRAMP STEAMERS
DEBATE ON SUBSIDY
BILL' BEFORE COMMONS British Wireless RUGBY, Feb.-20 Mr. Walter Runciman, President of the Board of Trade, in the House of Commons to-day moved the second reading of the Government's bill to continue the subsi3y in aid of tramp shipping, amounting to £2,000,000, and to make eligible for the grant certain vessels previously excluded. The Minister said that on national grounds every effort must be made to preserve the efficiency of tramp shipping, Which was one of the most valuable elements in the British mercantile .marine. He reviewed the year's working of the subsidy, and claimed that it had resulted in benefit to all the interests concerned in shipping. Ho commented' with pleasure on the agree ment reached by the National Maritime Board for the restoration of cuts in seamen's wages. The rejection of the bill was moved for the Labour Opposition by Mr. E. Shinwell, who contended that no case had been made for the continued expenditure of public money on the pro- ' motion of private interests. Sir Robert Horne (Conservative— Billhead, Glasgow) supported the bill. He held that it was justified by the necessity for meeting subsidised foreign competition, which had been driving British ships off the sea. Sir Robert said he sincerely hoped Britain was not going to lose her trade in the Pacific entirely, and that her flag was not going to be hauled down. It would be an admission that Britain's glory at sea had departed. The Pacific lines had been splendid and had performed a great function for the Empire in the past. The situation, howover. had been steadily deteriorating. One of the lines already had given up and the other was in a condition of considerable jeopardy. Alluding to the subsidy to and the privileges of the Matson Line, Sir Robert said the result was grievous. He believed Mr. Runciman was sympathetic toward action which he (Sir Robert) hoped the Government would take.
The second reading was carried by 234 votes to 126.
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Bibliographic details
New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22350, 22 February 1936, Page 14
Word Count
334TRAMP STEAMERS New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22350, 22 February 1936, Page 14
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