SHIPPING LOSSES.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 March 1918, Page 3

SHIPPING LOSSES.

SPEECH REASSURING. LONDON March 21. The newspapers generally regard Sir Eric Geddes’s speech as reassnring rather than disquieting but they complain about its omissions, especially regarding the losse of the merchant shipping, and demand fuller details. “The Times,’’ commenting upon .Sir Erie Geddes’ recent shipping statement, says the the general effect of it is rather reassuring. The statement of the Britsih losses, however, is much less reassuring. It increases the gravity and the urgency of the shipbuilding. The “Daily Mail” says:—“The facts are serious enough; hut they need not cause dismay if they were faced in the right spirit.”

SUPREME EFFORT NEEDED. ' LONDON, March 21. Commenting on the shipping losses the naval correspondent of the “Times’’ says:—“lt is doubtful whether the rather cold statement of Sir E. Geddes will arouse the nation to the supreme effort that is essential.”

FURTHER PARTICULARS WANTED LONDON March 21. The “Daily Telegraph” points out that the figures do not include the ships out of commission for many weeks during repairs. The “Telegraph” adds that the losses. given must be deducted from half the aggregate tonnage on the. register not the whole, owing to the number of ships that there were engaged in naval land military duties Therefore, it says, last year’s depredations, on the bassis of the supply of the civil needs of the population, equalled a net redcction in tonnage of 40 per cent.

The speech is also criticised on the ground that it is a mere defence of the Admiralty and does not give a rousing call to shipbuilders to do their utmost.

DEMAND FOR NEW CHIEF. LONDON March 21. Referring to the shipping position the- “Daily News” says:—“Sir Eric Geddes has not alleviated the public anxiety. He has not, indeed, fulfilled expectations formed that the Government intended really to confide in the nation. It is a time like this when the question ceased to be the snort of weak men at cross purposes.” The ‘‘Daily Express” urges that Lord Pine, the naval Controller of Merchant Shipping, should he made, an autocrat over the shipyards. It says: “Put him at the wheel, and forbid all interference. He knows more about siliobuilding than any other man in the United Kingdom. LOST TONNAGE. .'f>..vl r n,; c Ttnv at m. 15. •. m.) WASHINGTON, March 21. The British Embassy announces that since the wnr began the Allies tonnage loss totals 11,327,572, and the tonnage .built 0.606,127.