COMMONWEALTH AS SHIPOWNER.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3530, 17 July 1920, Page 7

COMMONWEALTH AS SHIPOWNER.

HOSTILITY OF THE COMBINE

SYDNEY, June 29. Sooner or later, say shrewd judges of the shipping situation, there must develop a struggle between the Shipping Combine— which now includes operating in the Southern Seas —and the Commonwealth of Australia. The Common wealth line of steamers is frankly a challenge to the Shipping Combine— and is jnst as frankly accepted as such by the latter. The plain speaking on behalf of the Commonwealth and the ring is remarkable. The Combine .does not seek to disguise the fact that it is a combine nor to hide the chagrin with which it regards the Commonwealth fleet. The Comnronwealtli Line is . ow by

far the biggest mercantile fleet outside the combine. Its nucleus, it will bo remembered, was the 15 smallish cargo carriers purchased by Mr Hughes in 1916. About the same time Australia brought the 17 German steamers which she had captured in-

to commission, under her flag. They f running in the Australian ser- j | vice earning big profits, pending the ! ( decision of the* League of Nations. To this comfortable fleet Australia add- >

ed a number of small wooden steamers and motor ships, bought in Ame- j ricav but these were not successful | and most of them were sold after the | armistice. Then shipbuilding comI meneed in. Australia and five dr six i fine iron steamers, built in the vari- ■, ous dockyards, are already in cominis- j j sion. Others are being built rapidly, i while in the English and Scottish j dockyards, ast the present moment, : three big passengers steamers are be- 1 ing completed to the order of the Australian Government, and other and even bigger ships are to follow from the English yards. Thus, it may be seen that, literally,, every mcnth.

with building operations going on apace, the position of Australia as a ship-owning nation, is being ened, and the feelings of the combine, Which naturally desires to be all-

powerful, can be imagined. ' The fight has been going on in a sort cf way for a long time. The combine grants shippers a substantial rebate if. after a certain time, they prove they have not been shipping by hon-combine vessels. It is a stiff

handicap —but so tar, the commonwealth has survived and flourishes. Now the British papers are pointing out that if the Commonwealth Is going to- fight the combine, the powerful interests therein represented will .-ee to it that the Commonwealth Governmeat will ge no money when it goes a borrowing in London. Only, the futre will show what this will lead to. This much seems sine. The Australian people are generally behind the Australian Government in its defimice of the combine.

ON THE VERGE.

MANY A ONE BROUGHT BA.CS FROM THE BRINK. There are critical times in our lives when it seems if we must lot go, but we cling to life, with a wonderful tenacity. Many diseases are very depressing' in their worst stages, and wd

get to the very brink sometimes; yet the hope of survival is great, Doan’a Backache Kidney Pills have brought back many from the verge and given them a new lease of life. The following case should be of interest. Read it: — Mr H, Thompson, Tui Street, Taihape, says: — “After suffering for a long time from backache and kidney trouble from which I could get no re-

lief, I was advised to take a course of Doan’s Backache Kidney Pills. X bought a bottle straight away, and by the time I had finished it I fell; fered a good deal with my back, and ever so much better, and a short course of two bottles cured me completely Previous * to using this remedy, I sufwas sometimes in such pain that I could hardly move without enduring torture. My rest at night was disturbed and I always felt tired and languid. I was really in a poor state of health, but Doan’s Backache Kidney Pills got to the root of the trouble, strengthening >and toning up my kidneys in a wonderful way, and I have enjoyed good health ever since* my cure was effected eighteen months age so it has been well tested, and I feel safe in saying it is a permanent one.’*' Doan’s Backache Kidney Pills are sold by all chemists and storekeepers at 3/ per bottle (six bottles 16/6), or will bo posted on receipt of price by Foster McClellan Co., 76 PUt Street, But be sure you get Doan’s.