LONDON'S DOCKS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 177, 24 June 1940, Page 2

LONDON'S DOCKS

CONVOYS CAUSE GREATT CHANGE-OVER IN WAR-TIME

•In connection with the convoy system, the Port of London Authority monthly for March states that:

"Obviously the peace-time regular flow of shipping enables a more economical use to be mode of our ports than is generally possible under the convoy system. On the other hand the Port of London, by virtue of, geographical circumstances and the farreaching developments executed during the last quarter of a century, is essentially adaptable fo new conditions. With 44 miles of deep water quays provided within its five separate dock systems, for numerous discharging and loading berths in the 50 miles pf tideway between the estuary and the city and hundreds of wharves and jetties lining the river banks, it is inconceivable that congestion or seriius delay could result from the arrival of the largest convoy." .

4100 machines by 1941. The progress of that ijrogramme is the subject of dispute. Last year an American observer found that the Italian aircraft factories were operating skeleton staffs, that they had no orders for new types, and that everywhere there was a lack of money. The Navy. The Italian navy consists of four pre-war battleships which have been reconstructed, two newer ships of 35,000 tons, and mounting nine 15in guns, probably now completed, 22 cruisers. 56 destroyers, 72 torpedo boats and 105 submarines. Allied policy has apparently to clcsc the Mediterranean which this fleet and air power would make too perilous lo keep open. Though there is a chronic lack of raw materials it must not be thought that Italy is immediately vulnerable to blockade. Sanctions were followed by the development of a plan to create considerable reserves of oil and as long ago as 19*i7 Mussolini announced that the country had "several years* supply'" of manganese, aluminium, and tin, Italy could probably withstand a complete blockade for a limited time, but the time would be measured in months.