OUR NEIGHBOUR’S EXPERIENCE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 18783, 17 May 1923, Page 4

OUR NEIGHBOUR’S EXPERIENCE

In speaking of Australia’s vital concern for the outlook of the shipping industry, the Argus laments that unfortunately the Commonwealth has been embarked upon the uncertain business with all the attendant disabilities of Government ownership and management. It says:—“The Commonwealth fleet which, as far as Government secretiveness permits the public to know, costs more to run than privately-owned lines, has not brought a reduction of freight and fares, nor advantage in any respect. All the indications are that it can never be an appreciable influence in lowering shiping charges, but that, on the other hand, it may be a means of involving us in international misunderstandings and recurring losses. International competition, which is bound to grow keener on Australian routes, will probably prevent the exploitation of merchants and exporters, and ultimately bring freights and figures approximating to the pre-war level. It is a significant fact that while in America the Government, which is supposed to be less amenable to public opinion than is the Government of the Commonwealth, has candidly disclosed the facts of the shipping position, the Australian Government has spared no effort to hide its dealings. The audacity of Ministers in assuming the right to trade with public property to the value of from £10,000,000 to £15,000,000, and to cast an impenetrable cloud of mystery over their dealings for year after year, represents an unprecedented offence against democratic principle.” The Argus is convinced that for th? sake of the taxpayer and the producer there are the strongest reasons why Australia should get out of tho shipping business as fast as opportunity offers. “Government stroke” cannot, it argues, succeed in a shipping war like that which is threatened between countries whose opportunities and resources are overwhelming, and Australian taxation is already too high to permit of its being bolstered by subsidies from the public Treasury.