SAVING BRITISH SHIPPING

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 24, 29 January 1934, Page 8

SAVING BRITISH SHIPPING

The menace of subsidised fofeign shipping to the British mercantile marine was naturally jhe most important subject discussed at the luncheon held on the Maloja'on the occasion of the anniversary regatta in Sydney. The Hon. Alexander Shaw, chairman of the P. and 0. Line, emphasised the urgent need for action when he stated that, whereas the Empire before the War owned 43 per cent, of the world's seagoing tonnage, the percentage today had fallen, to 29. The Empire would havo to speak with one voice on the question of whether British: shipping, which was their only rcliablo link and sure defence, should continuo to ■. bo worn down. ■ , ■:. The Prime Minister of Australia stated that negotiations between the various Governments were still uncompleted, but were progressing towards a satisfactory solution1. That is vague and little comforting when it is realised that the subsidised shipping grows more menacing day by day. But a clear declaration has been made by the British Government that action will be taken, and that it will be decisive. In winding up a debate on the subject in the House of Commons on December 13, Mr. Walter Runciman said that the announcement just previously made of Uie Government's'intention to" assist the completion of the great Cunarder was a portent of which foreign Governments mi^ht take notice. ' ; We have boon forced to the use of tariffs to protect, certain other industries, ho said, and we may be forced reluctantly to take measures to safeguard our shipping. It would mean a change in the policy which wo hay.O tried so long to maintain, and we should only do it under the strops of necessity, • but, if wo do it wo shall do it unflinchingly. To us, an island people dependent in peace and" war on sea communication, an adequate mercantile marino is. the first nocessity of our existence, and wo havo no intention of allowing its cxistenco to to imperilled. While giving this direct warning to foreign competitors, however, Mr, Runciman. pointed out the difficulties encountered in determining a course of action. "We must bear in mind," he stated, "that we have such a very large interest in foreign trade and we do expose a very broad flank- to attack." Of the world's international trade 15 per cent, is British interImperial, 39 per cent, between the British Empire and foreign countries, and 46 per cent, between foreign countries alone. British shipping carries 90 per cent, of the inter-Im-perial trade, 60 per cent, of Empireforeigri, and 25 per cent.,of the wholly foreign. It is a wide area to defend,, and a big mark for retaliatory measures, which might come even though British action were solely defensive. But Mr. Runciman did not suggest that this would deter the Government from action. He did not commit the Government to subsidies, and he made it perfectly plain that the subsidy, as anything hut temporary, was disliked equally by the Government and the shipowners. But when negotiation was proposed he said that "unless there was something to negotiate with they could not expect anything satisfactory to emerge." If they wore to negotiato with success they must havo somo means of threatening, . This indicates that the Government, finding that the unjust conditions imposed on British shipping cannot otherwise be removed, is resolved to enforce the removal by retaliation. But, as "The Times" pointed out, this will not be effective until the Government is able to announce its definite proposals. There is, therefore, the more need to hasten by all meaiis the. Empire consultations which are proceeding for the formulation of a common plan. ___ _.. ~" '■>