CONTROL OF TONNAGE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2699, 19 February 1916, Page 5

CONTROL OF TONNAGE

SOME GOOD SUGGESTIONS Sy TelesTapb-Prosfi Associatlon-Ooßyrisht London, February 17. In the House of Commons, Mr. Peto moved an amendment to the Addrcss-in-lloply regretting that measures had not been taken to utilise economically merchant tonnage by placing it under tlio control of a. central expert authority, with power to requisition and direct tho movement of vessels, and limit tlie remuneration for transport services. Kvcry ship of our merchant fleet should, lie said, always carry full cargoes out tind home, cither of coal, wheat,' and ore, or of munitions and troops. They should all be under such control as ho had suggested. Mr. Balfour, First Lord of the Admiralty, saidthe Transport Department of the Admiralty had done its ivork with great skill. It would have been Impossible to carry out many of the duties but for the assistance and advice of distinguished shipowners. If the proposed requisition of British dipping wero adopted, neutrals' shipping woula bo able to continue to earn tne open, market rate. He could hardly imagine a moro impossible proposal. There was now a perpetual conflict between the needs of tonnago and the needs of war. Mr. It. P. Houston instanced the enormous freights earned by neutral vessels, while British ships had to bo content with the Blue Book rate. Italy nnd Portugal were constantly applying for more tonnage. They were not exactly placing the game. Italy was using Austrian ships and was not using the German vessels in Italian ports. If Italy asked for more tonnage she ought to utilise the ships in her harbours.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT

VESSELS HURRIEDLY BUILT

(Reo. February 18, 9.50 p.m.)

London, February 17. Mr. Runciman, President of tie board of Trade, replying, stated that the reason they had. not regarded every ship as a controlled establishment like factories ashore was because shipping was subject to competition by neutrals. The Government nskod for the Blue Book rates to lie taken as the maximum rates. 'i'hey liad requisitioned 172 vessels for th« carriage of sugar, meat, etc., etc. Not a single British vessel with refrigerating space was not working, under those rates. Regarding the high rates for tho carriage of coal tc Italy, he pointed cut that tho proportion of British vessels .engaged was 64, against 20S) foreign. An unfair impression was given Italy that British shipowners wore attempting to suck tho blood of • the Italian coal consumer." Although neutrals charged higher rates wo are dependent upon them to a certain extent. The congestion at the ports was being relieved by giving the Port and Transit Committee greater powers of increasing- the labour available. Merchant ship building was being delayed because the Admiralty had the first mortgage on tho shipbuilding yards, but about forty-five merchantmen have been hurriedly completed-, and 140 others which were declared to be necessary were being pushed on.

Even now the Allies were clamouring for more tonnage. They would not have got the tonnage at all hut for the fact that nearly half the merchant service of tho world is under the British flag. Not a single sailor has refused to sign on because of the perils of the sea. It would be calamitous to tako any step in war time which would limit the reproductive power of the merchant service or it would cripple us. Adding to it immediately the war is over will enable us to compete with foreigners. It was mainly on tho auxiliary ileet tlia't the prosperity of the Empire depended. Mr. T. J. Macnama-ra- (Financial Secretary to the Admiralty) said that the Admiralty was doing its utmost not to hold up •_ tonnage not wanted for naval or military service. The amendment was negatived. RAISING THE MILITARY AGE TO MAKE UP THE DERBY GROUPSBy Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, February 17. The "Manchester Guardian" says it is rumoured that, owing to the disappointing yield from the earlier Derby groups, tho Government is considering the raising of tho military age to fortvfivo before summoning married volunteers. CLERGY AND THE WAR THE NATION'S SPIRITUAL FORCES By Telegraph—Press Association- -Copyright ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) : London, February 17. At the Convocation of Canterbury there was a large gathering. Tho Archbishop said the clergy had been exempted from active service because they had been entrusted with the most important task of rallying and strengthening tho spiritual forces of the. nation, on which victory depended not less than on men and munitions. . WAR IN THE OTHER THEATRES BRITAIN'S~GREAT WORK By Telegraph'—'Pres.* AwooJatlon—nonrrlsht ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) (Reo. February 18, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, February 17. The "Figaro," describing ' Britain's colossal efforts and great successes in the outer war theatres, 6tates that the destruction of the German Colonial Empire is almost entirely British work. It was England alone, with the aid of the Australian Navy, which blotted out the last vestige of German power in the Pacific. AIR RAID INSURANCE THE GOVERNMENT SCHEME (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Rec. February 18, 5.25 p.m.) London, February 17. Replying to a question in the House of Lords, regarding the Government scheme of insurance against air raids. Lord Newton, Paymaster-General, said that over a million persons had insured, of whom 650,000 had insured through, the Post Office. x Tho sum assured totalled £3,500,000. THE SOCOTRA-S CARGO By Tclc-sraph—Press Association—Copyright London, February 17. The salvage of the Socotra's cargo continues to progress satisfactorily. Several hundred bales of wool, all the liidos, and much zinc and lead have been salvaged. JAPAN'S TRADE ByTelocraph—PreEß Association—Copyrtshi Brisbane, February 18. Eastern reports 6tate that Japanese imports for the year decreased by £100,000, and tie exports increased by ,£50,000,00° ' J