Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit FRIDAY, AUGUST 6, 1937. PACIFIC SHIPPING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 253, 6 August 1937, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit FRIDAY, AUGUST 6, 1937. PACIFIC SHIPPING.

The announcement that the text of the agreement for the provision of two fast modern steamers to trade between Australia, New Zealand and North America has been dispatched from England is most gratifying as it.shows progress in the solution of a problem of great importance to these Pacific units of the British Commonwealth of Nations. The agreement is the outcome of the deliberations of the Empire Conference, which, while no decision was reached during the formal sessions, was described as memorable for the determination not to allow British shipping to be driven out of the Pacific Ocean. The Imperial Shipping Committee reported favourably some time ago on a proposal for the construction of two large liners well capable of holding their own against the Matson Company’s vessels, and Sir Edward Beatty (chairman of the Canadian Pacific Line), on his arrival in England recently, asserted his company’s intention of ordering two such liners if the British, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand Governments should agree on the payment of a subsidy. Sir Edward’s latest statement mentioned vessels of 22,000 tons, but about a year ago he spoke of 25,000ton liners capable of a speed of twentytwo knots. The Imperial Shipping Committee was generally optimistic about that proposal which involved the expenditure of some £2,500,000 for vessels comparable with their American competitors. In a recent forecast of the terms of the agreement, The Daily Telegraph” said they would include a subsidy. Such a procedure is not one that accords with the tradition of British shipping, though of late years British tramp shipping has been assisted to a limited extent in that way. Yet the circumstances of the struggle into which British shipping has been forced in the Pacific are exceptional, and it is difficult to see that they can be suitably met in any other way than through joint action on the part of the British and Dominion Governments in rendering it assistance. The Imperial Shipping Committee was quite definite that the only hope for the future was to provide a service — which means speed and comfort comparable with that provided by the competing company. As the latter has been assisted by extensive subsidies, the adoption of that system by the Empire Governments, would mean that they have been driven to follow suit, as the only move to save the red ensign from being driven off the Pacific.