STATE-OWNED SHIPS.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 September 1918, Page 6

STATE-OWNED SHIPS.

POSITION OF NEW ZEALAND. The question as to whether it is advisable for New Zealand to acquire a Stateowned mercantile fleet has been revived by the receipt of a telegram stating that the United States in the eight months ended August 31 constructed 1,036,403 tons of shipping, or, approximately, 90,000 tons more than were built in tne United Kingdom during the same period, this being the first time in history when Britisli shipbuilding has been exceeded by that of any other nation. Another cablegram stated that Canada expects to build 500,000 tons of shipping this year, of which two-thirds will be steel, and one-third wood. * ■ A visitor to Auckland. Mr John Hooton, general manager of the Farmers' Co-operativo Wholesale Federation (New Zealand), Limited, drew attention on Friday (says the Herald) to the fact that in addition to the fleet of about a dozen vessels purchased in the early part of the war the Australian Government had recently placed contracts with Australian shipbuilders for several bottoms, and had, in addition, placed orders on the Pacific Coast for the construction of about a dozen steamers with a capa- 1 city of about 5000 tons each, and of about a dozen barquentines with a capacity of about 2500 tons each. Mr Hooio/i said it was clear that the Australian vernment intended to be no longer dependent upon private enterprise for the carriage of the primary products of the country to oversea markets, and for the transporting from producing countries in Europe of die requirements of the Australian people. He considered tlm nosition In New Zealand was lamentable. The storage accommodation was taxed to the utn">st, with primary product!, which could not be moved, owing to the want of tonnage, wliilo people on the other side of the world were languishing for these commodities. Large quantities of Australian superphosphates and otlier necessities for the farming community had been purchased, but deliveries could not be obtained owing to the shortage of shi ; ;3. It seemed strange that no movement had been set afoot in New Zealand in the direction of following the lead of the British, American, Canadian and Australian Governments with regard to securing our own tonnage for the purpose of carrying our products to markets in oversea countries, and of transporting our requirements of manufactured goods from Europe and other countries to New 'Zealaud ports. Mr Hooton said the present would be a good opportunity for the Dominion to associate itself with Australia in placing orders for ships with American firms. Referring to the same matter, Mr Robert Burns, president of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, expressed the opinion that in New Zealand it would not be possible to build shins larger than wooden vessels of about 1000 tons on account of the scarcity of labor and material. Moreover, when the war was over ships of this class would not be required, except for coastal or Pacific Island trade, because large steamers would then be available. Mr Burns said he had heard one expert express the opinion that the life of concrete steamers would be comparatively short. This theor-y----was based on the assumption that with great buffeting about and the vibration caused by the engines the concrete would disintegrate. Mr Burns favored the Govetrnment acquiring an interest in a mercantile fleet after the war, or before if possible. He said no private combination would enter into competition with the immense conference now controlling the lines running to New Zealand. The Government could subsidise private enterprise, and with such an interest in a fleet the Government could then regulate or prevent any exploitation.