Edinburgh, Sept. 1.
Shipbuilding in Scotland is in a bad way, and the outlook on the Clyde is particularly gloomy. The industry is staggering under a series of blows, not the least severe being the cancellation of orders for ships. Recently Messrs. Boulder Brothers suspended the order for two very large steamships from the Fairfield Yard, and now these may be written off as definitely cancelled. There is abundant work in hand in many of the yards, but with the cessation of new: contracts a heavy slump is quite possible. Already on the lower reaches of the Clyde there is standing vacant The first of the old pre-war berths, work being unobtainable.
It will be recalled that Sir Thomas Fisher, Chairman of the Canadian Pacific, one of the richest con cerns of its kind under the British flag, frankly stated the shippers' case at the recent launch of the Empress of Canada from Fairfield. The repetition of such a ship, h> declared, was unthinkable, the cost being prohibitive. The' pre-war cost of £550,000, had jumped to £1,700,000. This ship will presently depart for trade in the Pacific. and) wherever she sails she will virtually fly at her masthead the signal. "This is the Clyde-built ship that cannot pay working expenses." On every voyage she makes her owners will be debited with £20,000 addi tional in respect of her post-war price paid on the Clyde.
What is the cause of this state of affairs? There is more than one,} and though they may appear com: plex, they are ensily detertiined. The high prices of new! ships arise mainly from higher wages, shorter hours, and diminished output.
Scots Coxtientes Losixe Money.
The coal situation is matter for the cables and not for a mailed letter, but one detail of - considerable, importance may not have been noted—the astounding circumstance that not a single Scottish coal company supplying Home requirements is at present paying its way. Since' April last all have been losing money. Bankruptey would speedily overtake them but for sales on; exports and bunkers. It is only, indeed, the Government system of pooling that keeps them alive. The profits which maintain the industry on its legs and provide the E.P.D. come from the Welsh and English companies who concentrate on ex-! port trad Such is the dismal} position into which the Smillie policy of still higher wages and ea? canny has reduced the once prosperous Scottish mining industry.
Tue Law Says "No."
Miss Jeannie Smillie, daughter of the miner's leader, who was announced as among the recently ap-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.