Probubly two-third of the cost of completed tonnage is accounted for by materials over the price of which shipbuilders have no control. Being, as Sir Alexander Kennedy (chairman of shipbuilding companies) has pointed out, mainly an assembling industry there is a very definite limit to the economies which the industry itself can effect. The additional costs have to be passed on very largely io the shipowner.
Steel is not the only material which has advanced in price and effected the cost of new tonnage. Non-ferrous metals, timber and many other commodities have all risen steeply in value, adding greatly to the price of the machinery, auxiliaries and equipment of tonnage.
passenger liners, here a wide This is particulary the case in
variety of materials is used in equipping berths, saloons and other accommodation. It is suggested that One means of meeting the position would be a less elaborate scheme of decoration and simpler fittings. By leaving out the frills, which in a large liner represent a very considerable expenditure, a large saving could be effected. It is a policy which may find support except in the case of the very largest liners which are considered to possess a great publicity value."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.