PACIFIC SHIPS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19503, 9 December 1937, Page 12

PACIFIC SHIPS

ORDERS NOT PLACED YET N.Z. CAUSES HITCH LONDON, Dec. 2. Mr. H. C. Bywater, the naval and shipping authority of the Daily Telegraph, states that, although it is more than six months since the Imperial Conference approved the buildings ol two liners for the Canadian-Australian service, the orders have not yet been placed. “It was expected,” he declares, “that the heels would be laid in British yards well before the end of the year. “It is believed that the hitch is due to New Zealand’s action in endeavouring to have one ship registered in the Dominion, thus bringing her under New Zealand regulations regarding manning and pay, which are claimed to be the best in the world. “Since registration of one ship in New Zealand would create administrative difficulties,” he continues, “it Is opposed by Australia, Britain, and Canada. Meanwhile, as ship-build-ing costs are mounting, every month’s delay in ordering the vessels is liable to make them more expensive. It is already doubtful,” he declares, “whether they can now be built at the original estimate of £1,500,000 each. “I understand,” he adds, “that in London, Ottawa, and Canberra a serious view is taken of this further delay caused by the introduction of local politics in the implementing of a plan which is held to be of crucial importance in the future of our Pacific communications.”