CONTROL OF SHIPPING.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 June 1917, Page 2

CONTROL OF SHIPPING.

GOVERNMENT'S OTA STIC REGULATIONS, (From Our Own Correspondent). Wellington, June 12. The issue of drastic regulations concerning the control of shipping came as a surprise to shipping circles here, and there is much speculation as to the extent to which the Government intends to use its new powers. The official statement on the subject is that the Government, having regard to the. worldwide shortage of shipping, feels it necessary to protect the interests of the Dominion in view of recent merging of companies. The Government cannot stand idly by while, ships required for the New Zealand trade are possibly removed from the New Zealand register and transferred to other parts of the world. It is possible, of course, that the regulations represent an instalment of measures that have been devised in London during the stay there of Mr. Massey and Si' r Joseph Ward. A steamer trading under the direction of the New Zealand Government might 'be left alone by the Imperial authorities when otherwise it would be commandeered. The Imperial Government, is spreading ,its net .very Wido in the effort to apply every available ton of shipping to the needs of the United Kingdom, and there have been rumors of further important withdrawals from the New 1 Zealand trade. The measure of control given by the new regulations falls short of actual commandeering, but it enables the New Zealand Government to direct the movements of all ships engaged in the trade of this country.