BRITISH TO SWEEP PEAS WITH SHIPS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 14235, 1 March 1917, Page 3

BRITISH TO SWEEP PEAS WITH SHIPS.

LONDON, Jan. 13. Tl«» creation of a mighty armada of British mercantile shipping within six months after the end of the war was prophesied by a high naval authority yeterday. Facilities for shipbuilding m (treat Britain, it is asserted, have been so greatly augmented during the war tlrat British yards can easily outdistance all Herman competition. "Once our effort is concentrated on merchant shipping." this official said, "it will be possible to build vessels m I»*s8 tahu ninety days tmd perhaps faster, if they are standardised ships. Even with so much labor diverted to war purposes »we have been able to construct 9000-ton liners m three months. "The stimulus to shipbuilders working under war pveasrove and on war vessels will continue when it comes to building merchantmen, for the men will accept the challenge of the Germans* Never m her history has Britain had at her disposal huHi a hiehly efficient and large body of shipbuilders as she will have when the war closes. Wo can view the future with equanimity, regardless of German predictions."