SHIPPING SERVICES

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 83, 2 January 1920, Page 5

SHIPPING SERVICES

$ AUSTRALIA'S STATE FLEET EFFECT ON PRIVATE ENTERPRISE (By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright London, December 30. At the Orient Steam Navigation Company's meeting, Sir Kenneth Anderson said that until tho future of tho mail service was settled and the Commonwealth's wishes known thoy wero reluctant to commit themselves regarding the particular tvpe or design of vessel they would build. Tho Commonwealth Government's policy of largely developing its own licet could only discourage privato enterprise and initiative, which for forty years had provided Australia witii steamer services consistently exceeding tho requirements of tho trade and unsurpassed in quality and, cheapness by any trado in tho world. If tho State sot itself to oppress and discourago tho individual trader it must bo prepared eventually to cover the whole ground. of industry would dostroy the British Empire just as certainly as individual freedom and enterprise created it. Sir Kenneth Anderson hinted at tho necessity for raising saloon fares, owing to tho continued, increase in the working expenses of tho company.—Aus.-N.Z. Caulo Assn.