THE SHIPPING PROBLEM.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 290, 6 July 1917, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE SHIPPING PROBLEM.

According to Mr. Beauchamp, the shipping problem is the greatest difficulty we, as an overseas community, have immediately to face. Several of the vessels wdi-knawn in New Zealand waters have fallen victims to German U-boats, notably tho "Rotorua" and the " Otaki," while the weekly shipping looses of the Allies and neutrals total up a formidable tonnage. Ruthless submarining, which has brought America to the assistance of the Allies was eegun on February Ist, and the Teutons calculated on sinking one million tons per month. As far as can be aseortaiod from unofficial figures, it to time since- February Ist have the Germans succeeded in their efforts, although a considerable tonnage has been lost. Tho net decrease ill the world's ireicantilo tonnage in l!tl<s is estimated to have been enly 200,000 tons, losses occasioned by the war and by other means having been nearly made good by new construction. The loss of tonnage has been greater since, but against this must he put the fact that the entry of the United States and Brazil into the war has made available about 900,000 tons of German ship. ping that was lying idle. Furthermore, mo.st of the shipyards in the , Allied countries, including Japan, are working at high pressure building merchant vessels, and it is reasonable to suppose that the losses through submarining w'll to a very large extent be made good. We have also to bear in mind that the greatest .scientists and naval exports in the Allied countries are focussing their attention on devising means for dealing with submarines, and at any moment wc may learn that an effective method has hi en discovered. In the meantime, all must suffer, and New Zealand perhaps to a greater extent than others. The matter of supreme importance at the moment is to supply Britain, France and Italy with foodstuffs and munitions. These can obviously be most expeditiously supplied by thi countries nearest at hand which are aide to produce them. For this reason, vessels engaged on long distance voyages arc being withdrawn, wherever possible, and placed on the shorter routes. In consequence, say.; Mr. Beauchamp, we shall probably con. tinue for a time to experience difficulty in exporting and importing. This will, of course, cause a material reduction in our trade- figures, and react upon us in other ways. We have also to consider, he adds, the probable effect on primary industries of a continuance »i i the present shortage of shipping facilities. We cannot pile up perishable produce in cold stores indefinitely, because there is a limit to the storage fapacity; and, moreover, long-stored produce has a tendency to deteriorate. This constitutes a scrioue and pcrp'.ccig problem. Tho best minds in the country are, however, grappling with it, and everything that it may be possible to do to rcl:oY.-« fee situation will certainly be done. It is not surprising that, while on the subject of shipping, Mr. Beauchamp should have taken the opportunity to refer to the sale of the Union Steamship Company oi New Zealand, Ltd., to the Peninsula and Oriental Steam Navigation Co., Ltd. The "Red Funnel" line has taken such in important part in developing our coast, ai, intercolonial and overseas trade, that, on sentimental grounds, if en no other, one cannot help expressing lvgrct that its control should have i passed from a New Zealand to a British company. The fusion, however, in -Mr. Beauchamp's opinion, is only in accord. a.:.eo with the trend of British-owned shipping, which is uniting its strength with tiie object, no doubt, of successfully competing after the war with the German-owned steamship lines so liberally subsidised by the German Government.