FUTURE OF BRITISH SHIPPING

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21085, 11 July 1938, Page 7

FUTURE OF BRITISH SHIPPING

GROWING CONCERN IN ENGLAND New Vessels Planned For Pacific British Official Wlrelesr (Received July 10. 6.30 p.m.) RUGBY, July 8. In the House of Commons debate on merchant shipping it was pointed out that the British mercantile marine, considered from the defence aspect, is not unsatisfactory, but Britain would like to have rather more tonnage. The total British tonnage now is about the same as in 1914. In 1913 there were 20,524.000 tons, and to-day 20,719,000. Account should be taken of the greatly-improved loading and unloading facilities at ports, and the greater carrying capacity of ships compared with 1914. All ships built under the “scrap and build” scheme were compelled to provide the best accommodation, and since then fresh instructions have been issued about building new ships. There must be proper sleeping accommodation, mess rooms must be adequate and have proper food and lockers, and there must be baths and showers, with hot and cold water, and places for drying clothes.

Reply by Mr Stanley These conditions challenge those of any country in the world, and are probably the best in the world. Replying to the debate, the President of the Board of Trade (Mr Oliver Stanley) said: “I have taken the opportunity of getting the latest information in regard to the standard laid down by those countries to which a reference has been made and I find our standard is equal, and in many cases superior. I deny most emphatically that the new standard which was A aid down as a result of co-operating between all sections of the shipping industry is inferior to that laid down by any other nation in the world. “As a result of a recommendation made in the last twelve months a large number of very substantial improvements have already been made in the number of ships, and that to a large extent through the willing co-operation oi shipowners. I would emphasise that we have done in these two years probably more to improve these conditions than had been done in a generation, that an attempt to improve the old existing ships is being pressed with all the emphasis and energy we -an, and that it is already meeting with a large measure of success.”

POSITION IN PACIFIC HOPES FOR CONSTRUCTION OF TWO SHIPS United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph —Copyright (Received July 10, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, July 8. During a debate on shipping in the House of Commons, Mr L. C. M. S. Amery and Lieutenant-Commander R. T. H. Fletcher drew attention to the position in the Pacific The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Mr R. H. Cross) interposed that discussions regarding the Pacific had been resumed with the Dominions. Difficulties were being ironed out and the outlook seemed reasonably hopeful foi the construction of two ships.