SHIPBUILDING IN AUSTRALIA

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 85, 3 January 1918, Page 6

SHIPBUILDING IN AUSTRALIA

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S DELAYS

N,S. WALES ANXIOUS TO PUSH

Discussing tlio -Federal shipbuilding policy and the criticism of y llr. Hall) State Attorney-Gen-eral,"* who condemned the Federal Government's inactivity, Mr. Ball, State Minister for Public Works, stated last week that lie has been closely in touch with the proposal from the first. Following an earlier conference, Mr. Fuller, as Acting-Premier, Mr. Graliame, and himself specially visited Melbourne on May 25, and conferred oil the subject with the Prime Minister, together with representatives from the other States. Mr. Fuller tlion, oil behalf of tlio New South Wales Ministry, made it clear that his State would' render all the assistance in its power, and make available all its resources to hasten on tlio carrying out of the project.

Later the Prime Minister, Mr. Hughes, announced that he was satislied that composite ships could bo built and equipped in Australia, and in order to be in the position to act, if so direct-ed-by tlio Commonwealth, there had been prepared at Walsh Island,, with the greatest expedition, plans and specifications for composite ships of 3200 tons capacity, and these had been held by the Acting-Premier in readiness. In connection with these designs, it would bo recalled that the idea of building composite ships had since been abandoned by the Prime Minister, and a determination arrived at' to construct steel vessels of 5200 , tons capacity. This alteration would not' affect the position so far as the ability of the New South Wales Government to assist was concerned, as steel ships of that capacity could be constructed at Walsh Island'. Witli'Hie view of being able to enter upon the work as soon as a definite direction had been obtained every endeavour had been made to complete preparatory arrangements. . Walsh Island had on July 27 last been inspected by two professional representatives of Federal Government, and Mr. Ball understood that those officers were satisfied that with its modern layout and equipment the establishment would bo quite capable of undertaking work of tho capacity contemplated. Since that date, however, the matter had been in abeyance so far as instructions were coucerned. From July 27 last the State Government haa had no communication from the Federal Government to proceed. They had learnt unofficially that the Prime Minister had been engaged in certain negotiations with trado unions during this time. The State Government, however, had known nothing about these negotiations, and tho readinesß of the State Government's works to go on with shipbuilding in no wiy depended upon these negotiations or their progress. The Walsh Island works had been ready and waiting to conunenco operations since they were inspected by the Federal officers in July last. Five months had thus been allowed to pasij, and nothing had been done. "Recognising the tremendous importance of getting i definite commencement made on tho shipbuilding industry in order, to minimise tho very acute position that had been existing for somo time," says Mr. Ball, "the State Government is still anxious to do anything in its power to assist, either by'.undertaking work itself or by making it possible for private enterprise to push on gncj,, accomplish something in that dircolioA." -