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Hokitika Guardian, 26 June 1917, Page 2

When Hr Hughes, Premier of the Australian Commonwealth, made his huge shipping deal in tbo Old Country, there wero many who took a verypessimistic view of the (transaction. But events are justifying that tuFeeral Premier was on the right track, and that in point of fact he did a groat stroke for his country. A statement was recently published in Melbourne that if the present rates of freight are maintained a profit is anticipated on the operations >of the Commonwealth fleet <>f £1,000,000 for the year. All the vessels ar e now fully employed. In some cases, ben no outward freight for Australia is offering in London, cargoes are carried to outside ports, wlienc© cargoes are in turn obtained for Australia. By this means tho earnings are greatly increased. The expenses of running are very high. Insuranco costs £5,000 per week,, aid Australian rates oi wages have to be paid. Notwithstanding the heavy expenses, it is estimate ed that if the war lasts- another year the ships will have paid for themselves. This statement at once disposes of the opposition td tho enterprise, for admitting that nothing succeeds like success, what- more is there ,to he said on the matter? With this very pleasing endorsement of the Fedora] enterprise, events in New Zealand of late will moro than ever shape a courso towards a • State-owned line. Apart from Uie want of Home shipping, there is the fact that the Union Steamship Coy. is now being appropriated by a big English shipping combine. Tho trade of tlis country built up Itho Union Company, and now when it is at its most useful point, it is -suddenly incorporated in an outsido concern. In these circumstances there will be a mor 0 insistent demand than over for State-owned ships for Now Zealand. For long there has been the idea of starting with the Lyttelton-Wellington ferry service, ?and a beginning might b c made nt any time now.