IF WE GO TO WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 35, 6 March 1909, Page 4

IF WE GO TO WAR.

Sill CUAItLES CAYZlilt OX OUR SEA TRADE. Sir Charles Cayzer, ill a letter to the London Standard, says: At- present British shipowners luive only three courses lopen to tlieui in the event of a naval ,war. 1. The transfer of their ships to the Hag of a neutral Power'. 2. Tlie laying-up of their vessels in home or neutral ports. 3. Facing the risk of capture under htavy rales oi insurance. The first and second of these courses u.ijuld involve the loss or transfer of out trade, which may never be wholly recovered. The third course would entail verv heavy, if not prohibitive, rates of freight on all food supplies and law material we import, and 1 as a consequence the possibility of shutting down many •jf our manufactories, involving loss ot employment and a large increase in tlie price of our food supplies and oilier commodities during hostilities, which will cau.e serious disturbance throughout the country and compel tlie liovernmcnt to find relief at greater cost to the country than will be tlie case ii they pr-epare tor the inevitable results of war on our commerce during peace; and having refused to support tlie resolution l>rought forward by the I liited states lit the Hague Convention last year, to the cll'ict thai nil private property at -«!. belligerent «r neutral, unless engaged in unlawful nr contraband trade, i-lmubl be entirely immune from capture. I consider it'cWarly their duty to do <o without delay. I