TO HELP BRITAIN’S TIMBER-CARRYING TRADE AT SEA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17756, 28 January 1926, Page 8

TO HELP BRITAIN’S TIMBER-CARRYING TRADE AT SEA.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS CHANGES.

Uy Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Reuter’s Telegrams. (Received January 29, 12.55 p.m.) LONDON, January 27. The report of the Merchant Shipping Advisory Committee, representing all shipping interests, both owners and men, and presided over by Sir Norman Hill, recommends the Board of Trade to abandon the prohibition on the carrying of timber on deck in winter. except light w-ood goods, and the formulation of new regulations, based on the view that modern vessels of suitable types can carry deck cargoes of both heavy and light wood goods safely all the year round, if safeguards are imposed. The committee also recommends the Board to take steps to secure an early international agreement with regard to such safeguards, and that the new regulations not operate until it is ascertained, within a reasonable time, whether international uniformity is a/ tamable. The committee points out that present conditions are a handicap to British cargo ships in competition for the world’s timber-carrying trade, as it is a known fact that about 95 per cent, of the ships bringing timber to Britain are