OWNERS CONFIDENT

Taranaki Daily News, 24 December 1935, Page 7

OWNERS CONFIDENT

END OF SHIPPING STRIKE SHOULD NOT LAST LONG RECORD TRADE ACTIVITY BETTER TIMES RETURNED By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Rec. 11.45 p.m. Sydney, Dec. 23. Australian shipowners express the opinion that the seamen’s strike should not last long. They are confident of victory, which with the licensing system in operation should ensure comparative immunity from future hold-ups. They support their opinion by the substantial number of freighters which have resumed their normal running and the fact that a percentage of seamen is tiring of enforced idleness. Christmas trade in all the capital cities of the Commonwealth is reported to be of record dimensions as a result of greater spending power and a return to better times. The shipping strike, however, has caused a slight upset for holidaymakers, large numbers of whom had contemplated cruises to the islands, New Zealand and other States of the Commonwealth. The big overseas liners, which are not affected by the strike, are reaping a harvest, for in addition to being permitted to carry inter-State passengers while the strike lasts they have been able to accommodate a large proportion of those whose cruises by Commonwealth-owned vessels have been spoiled by the seamen’s dispute.