BRITISH SHIPPING.

Waikato Times, Volume 114, Issue 19125, 9 December 1933, Page 6

BRITISH SHIPPING.

SUBSIDIES URGED. COUNCIL’S RESOLUTIONS. ADVICE TO GOVERNMENT. (Official Wireless.) (Received Dec. 9, 2.30 p.m.) RUGBY, Deo. 8. The Council of the Chambers Shipflng Committee passed by 85 to 5 resolutions recommending:— 1. That the Government be advised that when any section of the British Mercantile Marine can show that a ■temporary subsidy is necessary and will ensure its preservation for a time, the Government should favourably consider the granting of such temporary subsidy. 2. That the Government be asked to intensify its efforts to promote a trade group of nations willing to trade on a reciprocal basis of equality 'Of treatment, and with this object unilateral or multilateral trade agreements be made with as many nations as possible, one of the terms of which should be that they would no longer discriminate against British ships, either directly 'Or by the grant of an uneconomic subsidy. 3. That in calculating the trade balance the services of British ships shall be remembered as an important national export, and that the buying power of the United Kingdom be consistently and firmly used wherever possible to defend British shipping against uneconomic shipping practices. 4. That the -Government be urged to take immediate'steps to ensure the recognition in every part of the Empire of the gravity of the -situation, and the jeopardy in which their trade and communications will be placed if the present tendencies continue. The council drew the attention of the Government to the fact that the subsidy recommended by the shipping committee is one of ten shillings per gross ton per annum on a pro rata basis per day, for every voyage with cargo -or in ballast. A laying up subsidy at half the rate is recommended for a minimum period. The cost of these is about £3,000,000 a year.