EMPIRE DEVELOPMENT.

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 15319, 21 August 1923, Page 9

EMPIRE DEVELOPMENT.

VIEWS OF SHIPPING MEN,

DOMINION'S POLICY CRITICISED

Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn. LONDON, August 18

A special committee representing the Chamber ol Shipping and the Liverpool Steamship Owners' Association has prepared a memorandum slating the views of the shipping industry upon the subjects which will probably bo discussed at tire Imperial and Economic Conferences.

On the subject of emigration, the memorandum says that the Australian policy of excluding from the coastal trade ocean-going ships that bring emigrants, even when the passage between Australian ports is part of " one voyage, increases the eost of emigration by lessoning the total earning power of ships and the volume nod regularity of general trade between the ports served, and limits the number of ships that can h 3 cc ployed, and the voyages they can make, and, therefore, the number of emigrants that can he carri-ri within any given period. Regarding the internal development of the Empire the memorandum stales that the Dominion's self-contained policy stands as a roost ser cus obstacle in the way of -development of commerce. The Dominions ask for money for works of public utility to increase their power to produce and facilitate their ability to export, but all the time they are limiting by tneir tariffs Britain's power to buy. Tney cannot increase their exports unless they are prepared to increase their imports proportionately. Regarding inter-Imperial shipping, the memorandum states that the total cost of transport of cargoes between Britain and the Dominions, including freight insurance, bank, and other charges, probaliy does not average more than Ave per cent on the value of cargoes carried, and asks, how can any possible reduction in these charges •offset the hindrance on the free flow of traffic created by duties on imports amounting to 15 per cent and upwards. Regarding State enterprises, the memorandum states that these should be put on an equal footing with private enterprises in all that respects taxation liability and equality of opportunity. The Government of the Empire should be urged to abandon all shipping ventures. To prosper, trade must command facilities offered in an open freight market. It has been proved that Stale-owned vessels cannot provide equal service at a loss. Slate ownership is injurious to private cntei-prise, and (involves either a burden on the taxpayer or higher freights and less efficient services, and is a constant cause of international discord.

Regarding income tax, the memorandum slates Hial the position can only be met by making all ships, engaged in overseas trade answerable only to the Government of their own flag in regard to profits earned.