CONTROL OF SHIPPING

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 66, 11 December 1919, Page 10

CONTROL OF SHIPPING

THE NEW REGULATIONS. Tlio Government's now regulations regarding the control of shipping are explained in tlio followingstatement, mado yesterday by iui authority:— • "During the war period it will be remembered the Union Steam Ship Company's fleet was sold to the P. and O. lino. As ft result of tliis (and, so it was said, lo ell'ccl; cheaper inarino insurance) most of the vessels were registered in England. This had tho eftect of taking away control of tho vessels from the New Zealand Government. To get over this difficulty tho Dominion Government litis recently gazetted notices whereby any vessel managed in New Zealand came under its control. "To strengthen its hands tho Government has also decided that all cargoes loaded outward shall have to bo dono under license. Theso regulations will have tho effect of compelling shipowners to plaeo their vessels in trades which tho Government approves. Since the snlo to tho V. and 0. several of the Union Steam Ship Company's colliers lmvo entered other trades, notably the transpacific; but will now, if tho Government so elects, have to go bade to tho Newcastle-New Zealand trade, where they nre urgently needed. Tho regulations, if properly worked, will have another elTect. T'iiey will compel shippers in New Zealand lo support Bri.tish-own-ed vessels and ship their freights by tlieiu. It is well known that the United Shies Government is doing its utmost to obtain mercantile supremacy over Great Britain, antl American vessels have already loaded cargoes in our ports, Within ilself the United States Government protects its own shipping in tlio coastal trade, and no British vessel can trade on its coast, and no British vessel can trade from Honolulu tn America. Surely tlio New Zealand Government : should, protect the Umpire's interests and set that at any rate our goods should bo exported in British bottoms. "If our local importers were as loyal in trade ns they were in war they would see that their goods, imported into New Zealand from tho States were shipped in British bottoms. Trade should follow the flag, am! following it bring continued prosperity to tho Empire."