SHIPPING PROBLEM

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 158, 23 March 1918, Page 7

SHIPPING PROBLEM

FIRST LORD'S STATEMENT DEBATED

CRITICISM REPLIED TO BY THE

PREMIER

MEASURES TO INCREASE THE OUTPUT

OF TONNAGE

London, March 21,

In a debate in the House «f Commons on the statement of Sir Eric Geddes, First Lord of the Admiralty, on the chipping losses and the output of new tonnage, Sir Edward Carson stated that when lie was First Lord the shipping problem was a constant auxiety after the unrestricted submarine sinkings began, especially in March, April, _ and May of 1917. '•Really," he said, l: we felt that the problem was almost hopeless." He opposed constant changes to and fro as- regards shipbuilding methods. Ho asked for further information as to Lord Pirrie's functions. Sir Edward Carson said his first conversation with Lord Jellicoe related to tho submarine menace. They considered that tho. problem must bo regarded as a whole, and that a great organisation was necessary to meet the menace. He himself considered it impossible to have different departments running separately.' Lord I'irrie was a masterful man. It was his duty to tight for tho mercantile marine, but wo must have a strong Navy above everything. The Fleet required more attention tho longer the war lasted. It was likely, in view of the Navy's tremendous work, that it would be worn out. This must be prevented. When he was First Lord the relations between the employers and the workmen in some of the yards were the worst he ever experienced. Such relations wore disastrous to. the country. Sir. Lloyd George replied to the criticisms.. He said that 138 extensions to merchant shipyards were projected, and of these 107 were already proceeding. He recognised that naval and merchant building must co-oper-ate, and the First Lord would do .this. The supply of steel was quite satisfactory. Every discoverable skilled maii in tho home forces was withdrawn, but this could not be done at once from "the army in the field. The results respecting repairs to damaged ships were cheering. He welcomed the idea of propaganda in the shipyards, to impress the-workmen with the necessity "for ilie utmost efforts. If ihc current output-was increased by 25 per cent, the deficiency would be wiped out. Mr. Asquith said that the late Government had been fully alive to the submarine menace. Tne reduction of new merchantmen in 1916 was due to ■the exacting requirements of the Navy. Tho prevailing disquiet was largely due to the misleading estimates of the shipping losses given at various times. — Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Renter. '