AID TO BRITISH SHIPPING

Taranaki Daily News, 27 January 1934, Page 5

AID TO BRITISH SHIPPING

TEMPORARY SUBSIDY PLAN. “WHILE THINGS CRYSTALLISE.” The view that British shipping should be temporarily subsidised was expressed by Sir John Sandeman Allen, a member of the British House of Commons, who is at present in Australia. Before returning to England Sir John , will pay a visit to New Zealand. # “I think it is essential that the British Government should temporarily, subsidise British shipping,” he said m an interview, “but it should only be while things are crystallising.' Subsidies are hopelessly uneconomic, and the Government must- not think of anything in the nature of a permanent system of State aid.” ■ . Sir John Sandeman Allen, who is chairman of the Commercial Committee of the British House of Commons and a member of the council of the International Chamber of Commerce, vicepresident of the Association of British Chambers of Commerce, and deputychairman of the Federation df Chambers of Commerce of the British Em-, pire, said that the Government would have to evolve means of dealing with the subsidy situation if those foreign countries which were subsidising their shipping and unfairly discriminating against British shipping remained obdurate. It could not stand by and see British shipping driven from the seas.. It was essential to face the situation boldly. While he could see several methods by which the position could be

met, it was not for him to enlarge publicly upon them. Referring to the relations between Great Britain and the Irish Free State, Sir John said that suggestions made in the Free State that the British Government was contemplating military operations there were pure rubbish. It was impossible for any sane British Government to think of such a step. Britain* only wish was to see the terms of the Irish Treaty observed, and nothing would please her better than to be able to restore matters to a stable basis once more. , , , . Sir John Allen said that he -had come to Australia to try to understand conditions here, and to study the politico-economic situation. He would also take whatever opportunity offered to explain Great Britain’s difficulties, the steps taken towards recovery, and the world situation as.it affected Great Britain. He would not be able to spend as much time in Australia as he would like, as it was necessary for him to return to England in time for the financial debate just after. Easter, and he desired to visit New Zealand on his way Home.