The Pahiatua Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING WEDNESDAY FEB. 15, 1939. BRITISH SHIPPING

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14068, 15 February 1939, Page 4

The Pahiatua Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING WEDNESDAY FEB. 15, 1939. BRITISH SHIPPING

A call to the Dominion® for support has been sounded by the President of the British Board of Trade .in virtually promising that his Government woliI• l help merchant shipping in its fight against subsidised foreign competition Unfortunately he added no more than that the Government was investigating the industry’s proposed safeguards against the menace. There would be more force in the suggestion of concerted action :f there was something concrete to offer in the shape of a policy of assistance. For many years now the plaint has been heard, but so far Little has been done to meet the situation. Tramp shipping was given a subsidy for a 1937. The delays in face of warnings about the inroads of competition have not been due to mere apathy. It has to bo admitted that the form anil extent of State assistance cannot he easily settled. But, if or when a policy has been devised, there should be no doubt- about tlie co-operation of the Dominions. Merchant ships provide them with a service just as vital to their economic existence as the return service is to Britain’s. When the question was discussed in Parliament last July, it was stated, on behalf of the Board of Trade, that, there had been close and continuous consultation with the Governments of the Dominions. The issues had been before the Imperial Conference in 1937, when good progress toward agreement had been made. Difficulties had arisen later, but the Government was hopeful of overcoming them. It is important that this should he done, for two things arc needed —a lead from Britain am.l cooperation by the Dominions for the support of the mercantile marine.