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New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1509, 27 March 1919, Page 39

One of the leading shipowners in Melbourne computes that the gross tonnage of the ships now supervised directly and indirectly by the Lord Inchcape and Ellerman ’ group, which will probably operate against the Commonwealth Government line, at a little more than 9,000,000 tons, the major portion of which is comprised of up-to-date liners and freighters, fitted to meet all the requirements of trade. Against this the Commonwealth Government line will be hampered by a fleet of wooden steamers, which, in the opinion of most of the shipowners, will not pay their way against the competition, and a number of more or less low-ppwered small freighters, which will be outclassed by the faster and more commodious vessels of the combine. Practically the only up-to-date overseas ships now run by the Commonwealth Government line are captured German vessels, and whether these will be retained is yet to be an open question. The opinion is expressed that if the Commonwealth Government is to compete against, the Inchcape Combine larger, faster, and more up-to-date vessels must be purchased to ensure any measure of success.