British Shipping in Pacific

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 22, 27 January 1937, Page 5

British Shipping in Pacific

PRINCIPLE OP SUBSIDY AGREED TO United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Received Tuesday, 9.50 p.m. LONDON, Jan. 26. The Daily Mail's political correspondent says Cabinet, acting on the recommendations of the Imperial Shipping Committee, has agreed to the principle of subsidising British shipping in the Pacific provided British vessels are modernised and the Dominions concerned co-operate financially. It is understood that two liners are among the first projects Britain has for warded to Australia, but she will not take definite steps until the Dominions have replied although an early announcement in Parliament is likely. It is believed Mr. Runciman discuss ed the matter with President Roosevelt, explaining that Britain was forced to act owing to American subsidies. JAPS BECOMING ALARMED. Received Tuesday, 11.30 p.m. TOKIO, Jan. 26. The Communications Ministry is most concerned over reports that Britain contemplates excluding Japanese shipping from traffic between inter-Empire ports like Hongkong, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand and are consulting the Foreign Office. Japanese shipping companies are becoming alarmed. MUST HAVE GOOD CONDITIONS FOR CREWS. PRIME MINISTER *S COMMENT. CHRISTCHURCH, Last Night. Before the New Zealand Government can provide a subsidy to help Britisn shipping in the Pacific it wants to be sure that conditions on ships are reasonable for the crews as well as for the passengers, according to a statement by the Prime Minister (Mr Savage) in a telephone conversation to-night. Mr Savage was commenting on the cable message from London about the British Government’s attitude to subsidies for this purpose. “We are anxious that British shipping should have a place in the Pacific," said Mr Savage. ‘‘We naturally want to do anything in our power to see that that is made possible. At the same time we are concerned that conditions on the ships should be reasonable not only for those travelling in them but for the men working in those ships. If there is to be a subsidy we want to know what we are expected to subsidise.” The chairman of directors of the Union Steamship Company (Mr Falla), to whom the message was referred, said he was unable to comment.