NAVY AND MERCHANT SHIPS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22516, 26 September 1938, Page 6

NAVY AND MERCHANT SHIPS

COLLABORATION IN EVEN* OF EMERGENCY

(«MI ASS6CUTIOK TIIAMUM.)

WELLINGTON, September 25.

"At this moment, when thing* at* looking a bit dangerous—though personally I do not believe them to be ad serious as they are made out to is pleasing to see so many men who are ready to put their shoulders together and co-operate in the interest* of shipping," said Pay-master-Captain .* S. L. Tottenham, 0.8. E., R.N.,in reply to the toast of "The Royal Navy," at the combined shipping companies' annual smoke concert, held in Wellington on Saturday night. "The Government of Great Britain," Paymaster-Captain Tottenham said, "has promised, according to information in the newspapers, that if a showdown does come, it will; enter into a scheme for the reinsurance of British shipping throughout the world. The importance of this may not be obvious to the ordinary man in the street."

Anyone in shipping knew that shipping interests responsible for valuable cargoes on the high seas became nervous when the situation grew dangerous. British shipping was of vital importance to the nation, and must be maintained.

"The service to which I belong will take an active interest in the protection of shipping," said PaymasterCaptain Tottenham. "If there is any trouble it will be absolutely necessary for-British shipping in all parts of the world to work in the closest co-operation with the Royal Navy, and I only hope the Royal Navy will be equal to the trust shipping interests will lay in its charge. An assurance, that shipping companies would co-operate with the Royal Navy if called upon, was given by Sir Alexander. Roberts, a director of the Union Steam Ship Com* pany.