ON THE SEA.

Taihape Daily Times, 14 March 1918, Page 5

ON THE SEA.

THE CONSTRUCTION OF SHIPS. Received 9 a.m. LONDON, March 13. The shipbuliding employers and ship-owners have issued a joint statement after to-day’s conference with a view to showing their realisation of the serious shipbuilding position. They state that the Premier on January 2, replying to their deputation, announced that the various shipbuilding departments would be co-ordinated. A joint reply was sent, advocating the unification of departments, and' asking that a joint committee of masters and men should be consulted before action was taken affecting the industry generally. This request has not yet been heeded. The statement concludes by expressing the belief that construction would have been speeded up if the joint had been adopted, and offering loyal support in order to secure the largest output of ships.

HOLLAND SHIPS TO BE RE- ' CALLED.

Received 9.10,

AMSTERDAM, March 13. . The Telegraaf states the Government has advised owners of Dutch vessels on the Rhine to recall them from German waters, fearing seizure.

REORGANISING SHIPBUILDING.

Received 10.50.

LONDON, March 13,

Mr. McNamara, in the House of Commons, appealed to the House not to support the idea of taking shipbuilding out of the Admiralty’s hands, which would be a fatal mistake and put the matter back into the meltingpot, The dislocation and delay would be grave. He appealed to all to do theii utmost. He announced the reorganisation of the Shipbuilding Department. General Collard takes charge of the National Shipyards, with Sir Thomas Bull as director. Mr. John Brown has charge of ship repairs and construction of auxiliary ships for the navy and Mr. Jas. Lithgow deals with construction in private yards.