ON THE SEA.

Taihape Daily Times, 22 March 1918, Page 5

ON THE SEA.

FIVE ENEMY CRAFT SUNK. Received 8.50, LONDON, March 21. British and French destroyers have sunk five enemy light craft. THE CHIPPING PROBLEM. SPEECH BY SIR ERIC GEDDES LONDON, March 20. In the House of Commons, Sir Erie Gedd.es, stated that the British losses during the war period were twentyper cent. The world’s tonnage had fallen 2i per cent. The actual world’s sinkings for the year ended January were roughly six million tons. Germany claimed to have sunk million tons. Britain, in the fourth quarter of 1917, constructed 420,000 tons, and the' Allies and neutrals constructed '512,000 tons. The world’s shipping losses dur- ; ing the fourth quarter of last year were 1,200,000 tons —the lowest quarter during the war —hut the current quarter would prabably : he lower. British losses during the 1 same quarter averaged 260,000 monthly, and British shipbuilding 100,000 monthly. Although the figures ‘were reassurring the January and February results wore (disappointing.-He hoped with confidence that the country would realise the need for a supreme effort, The world’s ocean-going tonnage, at the beginning of the war, excluding enemy tonnage was 33 million. Referring to the percentage of losses previously cabled, Sir Erie Geddes said the reason for the great losses of British ships was mainly due to submarinism being specially directed against Britain with \thd!\ object iof starving us. He declared that it was well within the capacity of the Allied yards—even British yards—before very long, with a proper supply of material and man-power to replace entirely the world’s shipping losses on the present figures. The output of new British tonnage in 1915-16 was very low, and-before intense submarinism began we were over 1,300,000 tons to the bad. At present forty-seven large British shipyards were wholly engaged in the construction of oceangoing merchantmen. We had also enormously increased our output of repaired tonnage. The present need was skilled labour. We were gradually getting skilled men from the army. Eighteen hundred skilled and unskilled men had returned to the yards to March 18th, and 885 others were demobilised. Difficulties wore gradually being overcome. He believed the problem was in a fair way to solution.

Sir Eric Geddes confirmed the appointment of Mr. Pirie as ControllerGeneral of merchant shipping under the First Lord. Mr. Pirie will not be a member of the Board of Admiralty but will have direct access to the Premier and the War Cabinet on shipping questions.

BRITISH WEEKLY REPORT.

LONDON, March 20.

The Admiralty reports: Arrivals during the -week totalled 2098 and sailings 2317, Eleven ships over 1600 tons and six under 1600 tons were sunk. Eleven were unsuccessfully attacked.

ITALIAN REPORT.

ROME, March 20,

Arrivals during the week ending March 16th, were 467. and sailings 422 Sinkings were one steamer over 1500 tons, and two sailers (one being over

FIGHTING CHARLIE SPEAKS. ' 1 1 “I Received 11.20. LONDON, March 21. Lord Charles Beresford, in a speech at London, said the shipping postion was serious. He said: “If the Government has done its best, it is a devilish bad best. We got into this mess through the movement to control shipbuilding. This business should be left to the shipbuilders alone.” SIR E. CARSON’S STATEMENT. Received 10.20. LONDON, March 21. Sir E. Carson said when he was First Lord of the Admiralty firs' shipping problem was a constant anxiety after unrestricted submarining started, especially in March, April and May of 1917. He added: “Really, we felt the problem was almost hopeless, jl opposed the‘constant‘changes.” As •regards-'the-shipbuilding, he asked for jfurthdi* -information as to Lord Pir'ie’s .functions/;-'-Sir E. Carson’s first conversationwith; Lord Jellicoe related to the~subiuafine menace. They considered the problem must be regarded as -a" whole. One great organisation was necessary to meet the menace';' Sir Edward considered it was impossible to have separate departments running separately. Lord Pirie was a masterful man, and his duty was lb fight 1 for the mercantile marine; but we' must have a strong navy above everything. The fleet required more attention 1 ’ the longer the war lasted. This was likely in view of the navy’s tfeme'ndohs work, and 'it wTIT be (worn out. This must be prevented." When he w-as First Lord the relations •of workmen and employers in some yards was the worst he had experienced. Such relations were disastrous to the country.