SHIPPING CONTROL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 November 1939, Page 5

SHIPPING CONTROL

AMERICAN RESTRICTIONS THE CHANGE OF REGISTRY PROJECT. COMMISSION DELAYS ACTION. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright WASHINGTON, November 7. The Maritime Commission announced that it was formally delaying action on the United States Lines’ application to transfer eight of its ships to the Panamanian registry and so enable continuation of trade with Britain and France, pending a thorough study of the position.

Any favourable action which might be taken would only be on the definite understanding that the operations of the vessels would in no way involve diplomatic protection or be made the basis of any claim by the United States Government. Senator Connally, broadcasting, said 130 American ships of 860,000 tons, representing 47 per cent of American ships and 44 per cent of American tonnage, would be withdrawn as the result of the Neutrality Act. Labour circles are indignant because the crews of the ships transferred to the Panamanian registry must be aliens. Shipping circles 'believe they will be mostly Canadians. The National Foreign Trade Council has established a committee to study the chartering of foreign ships and transfers to the American registry.

The State Department has issued regulations under the Neutrality Act permitting diplomats and military officials to travel in belligerent ships. Other nationals are permitted to travel in belligerent vessels only in Atlantic coastal waters, the Caribbean, and outside a specified danger area. There is no restriction on travel by air.

Daventry reports that the American Secretary of State, Mr Cordell Hull, has expressed opposition to a proposal that United States shipping lines should be allowed to transfer nine of their ships to the Panama registry. He said this would be a breach of the Neutrality Act.

MR HULL’S OBJECTION

AT LEAST SPIRIT OF ACT EVADED. (Received This Day, 10.0 a.m.) WASHINGTON. November 7. The Secretary of State. Mr Cordell Hull, advised the Maritime Commission lhal he objects to the transfer of United States ships to the Panamanian registry because it would impair the integrity of the Neutrality Act. Mr Hull expressed the opinion that the transfer would bo an evasion of the spirit if not the letter of the Act.

SHIP HELD UP

NOT ALLOWED TO SAIL FOR NORWAY. (Received This Day. 10.25 a.m.) NORFOLK (Virginia), Nov. 7. The Customs is preventing the sailing of the Moore McCormick line freighter Moremactide. with a cargo for Oslo, Gothenburg and Copenhagen. The owners protest that, she is sailing for Bergen, which is outside the combat zone as defined in the now Neutrality Act and that she is transhipping from that port.