BRITAIN'S PART.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16168, 23 March 1918, Page 9

BRITAIN'S PART.

THE SHIPPING PROBLEM

VIEWS OF LEADING STATESMEN.

(By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association.) LONDON, March 21. Sir Edward Carson, speaking in tue House of Commons, said that when he was First Lord of the Admiralty the shipping problem was a constant anxiety. "After the unrestricted submarinings—especially in March, April, and Mav, 1917," he said, "really «e felt that the problem was almost hopeless." He opposed the constant changes in shipbuilding methods, and asked for further information regarding Lord Pirrie's functions. Sir Edward Carson's first conversation with Lord Jellicoe related to tho submarine menace. They considered that : the problem must be regarded ts a whole, and that one great organisation was necessary to meet the menace. Sir Edward Carson considered that it was impossible to have difficult departments running separately. Lord Pirrie was a masterful man, and his duty would be to fight for the mercantile marine, but they must have a strong Navy above everything. Tho Fleet required moro attention the longer the war lasted. It ;vas likely, in view of tho Navy's tremendous work, that it would be worn out. This must bo prevented. When lie was First Lord, the relations of tie employers and workmen at some of tho yards were the worst he had ever experienced. Such relations w?re disastrous to the country. In the House of Commons, Mr Lloyd George replied to the criticisms of the shipping policy. He said t-tut 138 extensions of merchant shipyards were projected, of which 107 were £lready proceeding. He recognised that naval and merchant shipbuilding must co-operate. The First Lord would do this. The supply - of steel was quite satisfactorv. Every skilled man who could be di's- [ covered in the Home forces had been | withdrawn. This could not be done at once from the Army in the field, j The results respecting repairs to damaged ships wore cheering. He welcomed the idea of a propaganda in the ehip3*ards to impress the workmen ■with the necessitv of making the utmost efforts. If the current output was increased by 25 per cent., the deficiency would be wiped out. Mr Asquith said the late Governmetit was fully alive to the submarine menace. The reduction in new merchantmen in 1916 was due to the Gary's exacting requirements. Tho prevailing disquiet was largely due to misleading estimates of tho ' shipping losses given ai, various times. Lord Beresford, in a speech at London. said -hat the shipping position was serious. "If the Government has done its best." be said, "it is a devilish bad best. We have got into this iress through the Government control of the shipbuilding business. They should have left the shipbuilders alone." J ("The Times.") ] (Received March 22nd, 7.25 p.m.) LONDON, March 21. "The Times," commenting on . Sir Eric Gcddes's statement, says that in general its effect is rather reassuring, but the statement of British losses is

much less reassuring, and increases the gravity and the urgency of the shipbuilding problom. The -naval correspondent of i; Tho Times" says that it is doubtful whether tho rather cold statement will arouse the nation to make tho supreme, essential effort. The "Daily Mail" says:—"The facts aro serious enough, but need not cause dismay if they are faced in the right spirit." The "Daily News'' says: —"Sir Eric Geddes has not alleviated the public axxiety, and has not fulfilled the ex- j pectation that the Government intended to confide in the nation. It is j time that this great question ceased to be the snort of wonk men at cross- i purposes." The "Daily Express" urges that Lord Pirrie .should be made an ante- ' erat of shipyards. "Put him at tho wheel," tho journal says, '"'and forbid all interference, for ho knows more rbuut shipbuilding than any other ina;i in tho United Kingdom. ' (Australian and X.Z. Cabli: Association.) (Received 3larch 22m.!, 11.35 p.m.) LONDON, March 21. The newspapers regard Sir i'-rio Geddos's speech as reassuring rathoi/ than disquieting, but complain about its omissions, especially regarding the losses of merchant shipping. They demand fuller details. Tho "Daily Telegraph'' points out that tho figures do not include ships out of commission for many weeks during the carrying out of repairs, and adds that losses must bo deducted from half the aggregate on the register, owing to tho number of ships engaged in naval or military duties, thoreforo last year's depredations on tr.e basis of the supply of the civil needs of the population equalled the net reduction of tonnage by *10 per cent. Sir Eric Goddes's spooch is also criticised on tho ground that it is a more defence of tho Admiralty, and docs not give a rousing call to the shipyard workers to do their utmost. ADMIRALTY'S OFFICIAL SUMMARY. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Reutcr's Telegrams.) (Received .March 23rd, 12.35 a.m.) LONDON, March 21. A British Admiralty statement summarises as follows the shipping position at tho end of last year:— Losses; — Tons. British ... ... 7,079,000 Foreign ... ... 3,750,'000 Gains by new construction: — British ... ... 3,031,000 Foreign ... ... 3,500,000 Enemy tonnage captured : — By tho British ... 75,000 By foreign Powers... 1,800,000 The total gains were: — British ... ... 3,800,000 Foreign ... ... 5,383,000 FUTURE OF PACIFIC ISLANDS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received March 22nd, 10.15 p.m.) CAPE TOWN, March 21. At a farewell dinner to Mr C. H. Rodwell, the new Governor of Fiji, the Chief Justice emphasised the importance of Mr Rodwell's now sphere, as the Pacific was likely to become the storm centre of tho world. NEW ZEALANDERS HONOURED.

(Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association.) iHeuter's Telegrams.) 'deceived March 22nd, 11.35 p.m.) LONDON, March 21. A bar to the Military Medal has been awarded to Sergeant J. D. McLeod, of the Auckland Rifles. Seventeen New Zealanders have been awarded Military Medals, and one the Meritorious Conduct Medal.

MISCELLANEOUS CABLES. LONDON, March 21. Sir Albert Stanley (President of (he Board of Trade), speaking in the House of Commons, announced that uo amusemonts would, be allowed over a considerable area of England after 10.30 p.m., and also that the diningrooms of hotels, clubs, restaurants, and boarding-houses would be closed between 10 o'clock at night and 5 o'clock in the morning. Thero would be other drastic restrictions on the use of gas, electricity, and coal in the South of England. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received March 22nd, 10. 15 p.m.) LONDON, March 21. Mr Lloyd George, replying to a Trade Union Congress deputation in favour of the nationalisation of railways, canals, and waterways, said that committees were at present investigating tho matter. Definite action might be taken before tho end of the war (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) WASHINGTON, March 20. Mr Owen, in tho Senate, urged a League of Nations to isolate Germany commercially for five years unless she consents to peace.