MERCHANT SHIPPING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 July 1943, Page 4

MERCHANT SHIPPING

AMERICAN WAR BUILDING PROGRAMME BEARING ON PEACE OUTLOOK. DISCUSSED IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received This Day, 11.55 a.m.) LONDON, July 14. Britain, at the outbreak of war, had about 20 million tons of merchant shipping, but could not expect to have more than nine millions when the war ended, said Mr E. Shinwell, in the House of Commons. The United States entered the war with seven million tons of merchant shipping and would have at least 15 millions, possibly 30 millions, when the war ended. . “We are dealing with the America of big business, which believes in using its huge reserves to develop an investment policy all over the world, into which their shipping policy will be fitted,” Mr Shinwell added. “Our nine million tons won’t be able to talk on equal terms with their great tonnage of very speedy, efficient and highly subsidised shipping. The British Government must frame a long term and far-sighted policy.” Mr Shinwell suggested that the Government should experiment in nationalisation by taking over the ocean carriage of fruit and meat. The United States had treated us with generous understanding, said Mr Noel Baker. We can never express our gratitude for their shipping programme, which is winning the war. We believe we can work with the United States in peace as in war. Sir Arthur Salter, replying for the Government, said he regarded the United States shipping output with gratitude and joy. The shipping situation twice during the war had been so serious that it threatened the whole issue of the war. The United States had twiqe restored the balance. • Sir A. Salter expressed the opinion that at present it would be unwise for Britain to State any post-war plans for the mercantile marine.