THE HERITAGE OF THE SEA

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 564, 22 June 1933, Page 4

THE HERITAGE OF THE SEA

Mr. Alexander Shaw, chdirman of the P. and O. Steam Navigation Company, referring recently to subsidised shipping, said: "It is very interesting to note that the very country which is foremost in this form of attack will not allow one single passehger or one ounce of cargo to be carried in trade by a BritisK ship between any of its own ports. Whkt is the policy of the British Empire? The policy of . - . \ . . ■ u ■■

these foreign natiqns is orie of active attack. So far as I can gather up to date, our poiicy is only one which can be characterised as passive submission. No wonder you read in the official report of the,Missions to Seamen that 'unemployment hangs like a black cloud above our sea^orts.' British sailors are the finest in the world. The tradition of the sea is born in them, and they are worthy of all that this great society can do for them. But their numbers will continue to dwindle, and their genius will rust for lack of use, until the statesmanship of the Empire proves as equal to its task as the seamen of the Empire are equal' to their s. The heritage of the sea is more and more passing into aiien hands. We are facing competitors to whom a large loss on a voyage is almost negligible. It is an unequal contest, because it is a battle in many trades between the limited resourees of British shipping concerns and the massed wealth of the taxpayers of foreign countries."