SUBSIDY FOR SHIPS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 939, 8 December 1933, Page 1

SUBSIDY FOR SHIPS.

British Committee Reports on Tramps. United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, December 7. The “ Daily Mail ” has disclosed that the report of the Committee on Tramp Shipping recommends that every British tramp steamer in international trade should be subsidised to the extent of 10s a ton annually, besides a laying-up subsidy of 5s on gross register, costing the State £3,000,000. Goods receiving Imperial preference should be imported in British snips and the British coastal trade should be confined to British vessels, failing which foreign ships should be charged discriminatory port dues and their cargoes be taxed. The “ Daily Herald ” says that the Treasury and the Board of Trade are giving serious consideration to the proposal of financially assisting British shipping. Merger of Lines. The “ Daily Express ” reports that negotiations for a merger between the White Star Line and the Cunard Line have been successfully concluded. A new company controlling both lines will be formed to operate the North Atlantic services, the other routes continuing to operate independently. The Government will thus be enabled to assist in the completing of the two giant Cunarders at Clydebank. It is likely that the Mauretania and other older ships will be scrapped. ACTION NECESSARY. LONDON, December 7. Commenting on the lion Alexander Shaw's speech the “ Daily Telegraph ” says: “We cannot shut our eyes to the restrictions placed upon British ships by certain dominions or to the encouragement given foreign ships by South Africa. Unity of policy will not be reached quickly in such circumstances.” The “ Financial News ” says that Mr Shaw gave all the illustrative detail anybody could require regarding the grotesque hardships imposed on British shipping by the policies of other nations. There should be no great difficulty in agreeing with the dominions on an appropriate course of action.