BRITISH SHIPPING POLICY

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18805, 29 November 1932, Page 6

BRITISH SHIPPING POLICY

The world witnessed last year a complete change in British policy from Hie traditional Free Trade of Hie 19lh century to Protection. The change was not one which Britain might have made in ordinary circumstances, but it was rather forced on her by the results amid extraordinary circumstances, of the protective policies of her trade rivals as well as many of her customers. The effects of protection practised by other countries had been in evidence in England for some time, but Hie economic depression forced Britain to take action. The change in British trade policy must give rise to the question of whether a change may be at hand also in regard to her shipping. British shipping policy has been on free trade lines. Shipping of every nation recieved equal treatment from Britain. The basis was that the vessel, that could carry the goods most efficiently should 'get the trade, and the policy has been the mainstay of British shipping up and down the seven seas, for British shipping has been struck at by the effect of the shipping policy of other countries which have aspired to maritime strength by other means. The policies of state shipping fleets and subsidised shipping lines have been followed by several countries, and British shipping has no longer been able to earn the rewards of enterprise and efficiency, but has been excluded from trades by foreign laws and met unfair competition by ships directly aided by from foreign taxpayers. Meanwhile, the shipping industry lias been experiencing a depression which has varied only in .degree over the past ten years. It *= now at its worst and obviously the British shipping industry cannot see itself swept from its trade routes. The question is bound to arise . of whether Britain should not retaliate against foreigners. Already the question has been raised in Australia and New Zealand in regard to a subsidised American line which is entering British trade in the Pacific. Action is to be taken in this instance, and it may set the shipping industry thinking along similar lines in England.