SHIP CONTROLS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 301, 21 December 1945, Page 6

SHIP CONTROLS

PARTIAL RELAXATION BRITISH ANNOUNCEMENT London, Dec. 18. Dry cargo ships other than troopships or others engaged in direct military or naval services will be released from requisition on the termination of voyages after March 2, 1946, when the | pr esent charters expire. This was announced in the House of Comfrions today by the Minister of Transport, Mr. | A. Barnes The Minister said it would be necessary, however, in order to secure the best use of the limited shipping resources, to keep control, in a different form over its employment. The Government desired to restore the responsibility of initiative to the shipping in. dustry to the fullest extent practicable after March 2, 1946. However, it must continue to ensure that sufficient tonnage was available for essential imports and other purposes necessary to Britain's economy. The form of control would be appropriate to the transition period, and would be relaxed as circumstances permitted. Tankers would be released from requisitioning as they completed their voyages after the end of this year, and would remain subject to control by licence thereafter. Passenger ships and other ships employed in military or naval services would remain under requisition as long as trooping and other military and naval requirements made this necessary.

Mr. Barnes said that he also proposed to adjust the terms on which Government -owned ships would be offered to British ship owners.