SHIPPING PEACE AND WAR.

Wairarapa Age, 31 July 1925, Page 4

SHIPPING PEACE AND WAR.

the celebration by British shipowners and seamen of a period of 10 years without strikes is one of the most interesting incidents in industrial history, which, reflects very great > credit on all concerned. During the war period the seamen were too engrossed to .trouble about hours or wages, but the years following the war were the most critical British shipping has ever faced. Before the w,ar the sea-going merchantmen of the United States amounted to 3,000,000 tons, while at the close they had increased to 11,000,000 tons, and there were enormous shipbuilding yards ready to add to the fleet. Britain had suffered severely from submarines and, in spite of desperate efforts to replace shipping, had only 18,607,000 tons as against a pre-war fleet of 20,400,000 tons. To add to* the difficulties, after a post-war boom, trade was at a very low ebb and shipping could not find cargoes to eariy. The United States had an unequalled opportunity to soizy the carrying trade of the world. She was practically untouched by the war, hot taxation was light, and she had more gold than she knew what to do with. It was an anxious time for British shipowners, but by good management, aided by the loyalty of the men, who accepted a'big cut in wages without demur, the crisis was passed. The American ships rotted in the harbours or were sold at bargain prices, while Britain gradually recovered her supremacy as the world’s sea carrier. The British seamen had good leaders, who grasped the difficulties of the position and helped their employers to meet them, with the result that beth parties benefited. In Australia the seamen are guided by men who are out to smash capitalism first and care little for the interests of the rank and file. Australian seamen are -better paid and work under more favourable conditions than any in the world, but they are always being led into quarrels with the employers, of which the present strike is the culminating point. The lesson is obvious, but it is not likely to be taken to heart.