BRITISH SHIPS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23084, 8 July 1938, Page 11

BRITISH SHIPS

JAPANESE ACTIONS PROTESTS TO TOKIO WATERWAYS OF CHINA discrimination shown , CONVOY CONSIDERED By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received July 7, 0.5 p.m.) Britilh Wireless RUGBY, July G Replying to questions in tho House of Commons, the Foreign Under-Secretary, Mr. R. A. Butler, paid that, according to reports from Shanghai it would appear that dis- • crimination was in fact being practised against British shipping, both on the Yangtse and other inland waterways in China. "Frequent representations have been made both in Tokio and Shanghai on this subject, and the British Ambassador in Tokio, Sir Robert Craigie, is continuing to impress the matter upon Japan," Mr. Butler continued. "The institution of some sort of convoy system has received consideration, but as far as I am aware, there is at present no demand for it on tho part ' of the. companies concerned." Britain realised tho importance of the question and pressure would continue to be exercised on Japan, Mr. Butler added. PROTECTION IN SPAIN FRANCO'S " SAFE TORT " / SERIOUS OBJECTIONS OWNERS' MEMORANDUM LONDON, July 6 Almeria, which General Franco has proposed as a "safo port," is the smallest of seven Spanish ports used by British shipping. It is completely unsatisfactory for trading purposes. The depth will at most accommodate only 3000-ton ships, says a committee of British shipowners trading to Spain. It adds that the maximum accommodation is for seven vessels, whereas at present there are 45 vessels, many over 3000 tons, discharging at Spanish ports. A further 50 are due within a fortnight. Moreover, Almeria is nearer the firing lino than other first-class ports. The committee demands qomplete freedom of action and the protection accorded to British shipping in the last 500 years".' BRITAIN AND ITALY DELAYED AGREEMENT POSITION NOT ALTERED (Received July 7. 6.5 p.m.) British Wireless RUGBY. July 6 The Prime Minister, Mr. Chamberlain, was asked in the House of Com- ' mons to-day whether he intended to fix a date by which the conditions pre- , ceding the ratification o:r the AngloItalian agreement must be in operation. l Mr. Chamberlain replied: "Britain has repeatedly stated that she is not in a position to give full effect to this agreement, which was not made subject to ratification, until she can regard the Spanish question as settled. At the same time, as 1 stated on June 22, Britain is anxious to see the agreement brought into force at the earliest possible date consistent with the fulfilment of the above-mentioned conditions." WITHDRAWAL SCHEME FOREIGN VOLUNTEERS SEQUEL TO AGREEMENT British Wireless RUGBY. July 6 The result of yesterday's meeting of the Non-intervention Committee was formally recorded in Parliament to-day, „ when the Prime Minister, Mr. Cham- . berlaia, stated that ho hoped the text would Le available to members of Parliament next Monday. Britain is making every effort to _ arrange for an international commission to be formed which would proceed at the request of the competent Spanish authority to any town that suffered aerial bombardment in Spain. Mr. It. A. Butler, Foreign Under-Secretary, in announcing this in tho House of Commons, said that action to be taken , depended on replies received from certain foreign' Governments, which, he hoped, would soon arrive. FRIENDLY ATTITUDE PRESS OF BERLIN < BERLIN, July 6 The Berlin press adopts a friendly attitude to Britain in regard to the i Don-intervention agreement in Spain, j which is described as tho crowning success of Mr. Chamberlain's long efforts. '