SHIP BUILDING

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 188, 29 April 1918, Page 6

SHIP BUILDING

AUSTRALIA'S PROGRAMME. Tho following statement of tho Commonwealth Government's shipbuilding programme was issued recently by the federal Prime Minister:— "In June, 1917, an order was placed in America for fourteen first-class wooden eliips, of 3200 tons, four to lie equipped with two full Diesel engines, and ten first-class wooden cargo steamers. Owing to various reasons, mainly to troubles with slipways, delivery of material, labour troubles, etc., the delivery of these boats has been delayed. Two vessels lmve beon launched, and others will follow shortly. AH are expected to arrive in Australia during the year. "After protracted negotiations with representatives of the Labour organisations interested in the shipbuilding industry, practically the whole of the'unions concerned, with the exception of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers—the members of the Amalgamated Society have, iu the majority of cases, signed the agreement individually—have signed the agreement which the Government laid down as an essential to the commencement of the construction of ships. ,It provides for continuity of operations, the dilution of'labour, and piece-work. Piece-, work rates have been mutually agreed upon iu a number of cases, and the Federal shipbuilding tribunal, appointed to settle, disputes, is now engaged in determining further piece-work rates. With the commencement of work at Williamstown, the Commonwealth shipbuilding Bcheine is now definitely established. The Commonwealth Government lias taken over from the Victorian Government the State shipbuilding yards at Williamstown, and .two standardised steel ships of 3500 tons are now under construction, nnd it is intended to construct six others of a similar or greater tonnage. ■

"After protracted negotiations a contract has been let with the New South Wales Government for the construction, of six similar ships at Walsh Island (New South Wales), and a contract with a private firm for two at Devonport, in Tasmania. Work at Walsh Island is -to be commenced immediately. Negotiations are in progress with the State Government for the construction of one or more steel ships in South Australia by private firms. The Government hopes that private enterprise will now step forward and further assist in this great national .work, and invites tenders from firms willing to do so. All the material and engines for the vessels are being manufactured in Australia, with the exception of the large plates for the first six 6hips, which were not procurable here and were ordered from America. This material is now on its way. Orders immaterial for seven additional steel ships to'be built in Australia of. samo typo mid design as those- now under construction at WilUamstown and Walsh Island are now Hie subject of negotiation. "In order to utilise the available skillftl labonr and to increase the new tonnage, it has been decided to build wooden ships as well iis steel. Two contracts for construction by private firms in Australia for wooden ships, to be fitted with auxiliary engines, have, been completed, one for six ships of 2CM tons and the other for six ship* of 2300 tons. "Not the least valuable of the help lent by Australia to the Empire in this Htni'-'gie has been the diversion of Australian shipping for overseas service With a view to utilising vessels engaged in the Australian coasting trade to the best advantage, and in order to free ns many ships as. possible for service of tlie British Government oversea?, regulations have been made providing for the appointment of a Controller of Shipping, s Deputy-Coiitroller of Overseas Shipping, anil a Deputy-Controller of Coastal Shipping, who, with six representatives of the inter-State companies constitute an inter-State Central Committee. The Controller of Shipping has power to requisition any vessels registered in J , ii:;trali:i or engased in the coasting rrndi\ and to vary the vatcs of faves and freights to be charged on vessels requisitioned. He may also determino which vessels may be made available for the overseas shipping service "Twenty-one overseas ships have been diverted from Ihe Australian trad'. , , and to further meet ihe urgont and pressing roquix-iMiionts of thi> Briti?n fWcrmnent five others under Commonwealth control have been diverted. In addition to this 'Jβ vessels hitherto engaged in tho coastal and Eastern trade, nitf eight engaged in New Zealand trade, !wo been released for the use of the Uritieh Government.