COMMONWEALTH LINE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 241, 5 July 1919, Page 7

COMMONWEALTH LINE

.PLANS FORM FUTURE PROVISION OF FAST FLEET (By Telegrapli--Frc3a Aseociatioii-Oopyriebt : London, July 3. Air. Liu'kin, manager of-'the Common- : wealth Government Line, informed the ; Australasian Meixdiauls' 1 Association that \ tlie Common wealth Line intends to sup- 1 plement, and ultimately to replace, the present fleet with fast and up-10-dato ; steamers. Moreover, in the otcht of a : breach with the Conference Lines, which ' he sincerely hopes will Hot arise, and ■ which he is instructed to take every ■• reasonable precaution to avoid, a, regular , and frequent service between the United : Kingdom aud .Australia will be provided, stable rates of freight will be maintained, ■ and shippers will bo guaranteed against ' loss by the'forfeiture .of •■'rebates, provided they in turn promise the .Common- ', wraith Line the first offer-of their busi-ness.—Aus.-X.Z. Cable Awn...

GOVERNMENT VENTURE CRITICISED

ATTITUDE OP THE MERCHANTS. London, July 3.

■ A leading Anglo-Australian'- ■ in an interview, states that the prevail- ; ing opinion among Anglo-Australian merchants is against the Commonwealth. ; Government shipping line, on the funda-, mental ground mat a Government trust' ; is undesirable. But Ihej' also believed that the venture is harmful localise atits unsettling, effect, upon liau trade. Two of tlie principal needs are the lowest passible.rates-and stable rates. Merchants, do. not liolieve that the' Government has much prospect of competing.with established lines, because : the existing fleet is quite unsuitable and a large ioan would )» necessary to build . a .fleet". London financiers were unlikeOy \ to assist the Australian .. Government against.private enterprise/ It is'not yet known : whether Mr. i Larkin's offer will modify the merchants' attitude— Aus.-N.SS. Cable Assn..