PACIFIC SHIPPING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 280, 25 November 1937, Page 7

PACIFIC SHIPPING

Plans May Be Modified BRITAIN AND AMERICA HOPES FOR PROPOSED TRADE PACT (By Telegraph—Tresa Association—Copyright), CANBERRA. Nov. 24. The plans which have been under consideration for the last two yeats to safeguard British shipping inteiesls in the Pacific are likely to b« substantially modified, and possibly may become unnecessary if the hopes for a trade agreement and genera) agreement for mutual co-operatioc between the Empire and the Unitea Staler are realised. Three months ago an agreement between Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada for the provision of financial assistance for the construction of two fast, modern passenger ships to carry the British flag in the Pacific was on the verge of completion, but now the Hon. J. A. Lyons has announced that the discussions which followed a hitch tn the plans had thrown the whole proposals into the melting pot. IN THE MELTING POT NEWS TO MR SAVAGE [ Ter Pre.3B Association. ] WELLINGTON, Nov. 24. When a cable from Australia was referred to him suggesting that the whole of the proposals for safeguarding British shipping interests in the Pacific were in the melting pot, fru Savage stated to-day that it was news to him to know that any alteration had taken place in the position. He added that they had been trying to get one of the ships registered in NewZealand for the obvious reason that it would carry New’ Zealand manning, and conditions which they claimed would be better than those of any other country. Asked if that request had had any influence on the discussions, Mr Savage said so far as he knew’ it had been no handicap to going on with the proposals, but the last word had not been said, or he should hope not GOVERNMENTS CONFERRING BRITAIN WILL PLAY HER PART LONDON, Nov. 23. Speaking in the House of Com* mons, Mr Oliver Stanley, president ot the Board of Trade, said that tna English, Australian and New Zealand Governments were conferring on the position of British shipping in the Pacific. He was not in a position to make a statement as to whether financial arrangements had been reached for building new ships. He was aware that there was concern, but the matter depended on other countries besides Britain. “We are prepared to play our part.”