The Daily News. THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 1916. STATE-OWNED SHIPS.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 June 1916, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 1916. STATE-OWNED SHIPS.

The announcement, which emanated from Melbourne, that the Premier of the Commonwealth, while in England, i.ad completed arrangements for the purchase of a number of ships, with which to institute a Commonwealth steamship line for the transport of Australian produce, and particularly this season's wheat harvest, was received with a certain amount of scepticism, and the Premier of New Zealand even went so far as to say that he did not believe the cabled message. A later cable from London, however, not only confirms the Melbourne message, but gives the names of the fifteen vessels purchased, many of which are now employed by the British Government, and will, it is stated, be sent to Australia as they become available. The transaction is one that accords with the general policy of nationalising those services on which the Dominions depend for developing their resources and placing their produce oil tlifl market. We have no hesitation in declaring that no progressive country, dependent on Home or foreign markets, "can be said to have properly safeguarded the interests of its producers unleßs it possesses a State-owned mercantile marine, which is quite as essential as State railways, telegraph, post and other services. When it is 1 considered that Kew Zealand's overseas trade las? year amounted to over thirty millions in value, and that lliis is dependent upon the goodwill of a few shipping owners, the force of the contention will be appreciated. Moreover, the principle involved is beyond dispute, and New Zealand should have led the way in acquiring this maritime service It only wanted sufficient courage to initiate the enterprise, which is essential to the welfare of the Dominion. The pressure on the ship l ping service during the war not enly became very acute, but prejudicially affected the marketing of some of our produce and produced a congestion at our ports, freezing works, and other places. It may be urged that the circumstances are exceptional, but that does not affect the principle. Now that Australia lias made a move in this drection there should be no hesitation in New Zealand following the example. It. is not so much the question of whether the enterprise would pay, as it is of satisfying the legitimate demands of the producers in securing adequate transport when needed. No effort" should be spared to make the Dominion as far as possible self-dependent, and one of the chief means to that end is the acquisition of a mercantile marine capable of efficiently dealing with our exports. It would be a boon of incalculable value, while its absence not only prejudices transport facilities, but leaves the producers at the mercy of shipping combines. The matter is one ti at deserves tli? earnest consideration of our Government. Pity it could not show some of th.i enterprise and initiatime of the Australian statesmen.. There j was a time w-hen we led, but now we arc content to follow Australia and Canada. New Zealand, at present, lacks leaders of viSion and power. never were tlry needed mora

A 'PRACTICAL MOVE. The principle involved in the decision of the New Plymouth Borough Council to amalgamate the offices of electrical engineer and tramways engineer is one that must appeal to all business inon. The decision, of course, means the retirement of Mr. Black, who has done excellent service while in charge of the electrical department. The aim of every municipality should be to carry 0:1 its work, in the most effkbnt, economic and, business-like manner. Duplication of officers and overlapping authority are detrimental to the best interests of any undertaking, and in none more than in municipal enterprises, where sound policy and continuity of economic method* are so imperatively necessary. The New Plymouth Borough Council, in t!io past, has not always done wisely and well in its administration, and it h all the more pleasure to he able to congratulate lit upon its new attitude. Councillors come and go, mayor' change, but the permanent staff continues, li is, therefore, of urgent importance that the staff should be placed on a footing that will ensure the best results f or the ratepayers, and the mri;-e responsibility and initiative are concentrated the better should be the results obtained. As to continuity of policy, the Council is constantly changing, the difficulty could be overcome by the formation of an electric service board, on which the ratepayers could be directly represented by one or two capable anrl qualified men outside the Council and appointed for a term of years that would secure th» desired continuity • The new engineer (Mr. Bartley) has in the short time lie has been here shown that ho is equal to shouldering the added responsibility, and we have no doubt that under his charge both departments will be successful and soon prove a source of profit to the borough.