Emphasizing the necessity for preventing any further diminution in the number of British merchant ships, the Officers (Merchant Navy) Federation in their annual report issued recommend the establishment of a Ministry of Shipping, states "The Times."
The nationalization' of shipping is not suggested, as this, it is stated, would inevitably be a political issue, and the position is far too serious te allow it to be a party controversy. It is recognized that shipping may ultimately find it necessary to reorganize itself, in self-preservation, into a public utility corporation akin to the Central Electricity Board, but the urgent reality of the day, it is submitted, is the need for determine policy and custodian leadership. A' Minister of Shipping with Cabinet rank would be charged with the sole duty of protecting and developing British shipping in the nation's interest, with due regard to the inter-"sts of shipowners and of officers and men.
It would be the duty of a Minister of Shipping, the report considers, to consider the impressive arguments put forward from well-informed quarters for the reintroduction of the Navigation Laws in a modern form. It is difücult to believe that with our power as the greatest importing ation, and with our bankers finan ing the bulk of ihe world's cargo: that great influence cannot be brought to ensure that more cargoes are carried by British ships and covered by British insurance policies.
"It would seem," it is added, hat ike arguments in favour of the pointment of a Minister of Shipping are overwhelmingly strong, and equally, that unless someone in high authority can protect British shipping against itself and against foreign competition, the days of Britain's maritime supremacy are numbered, The present proposed remedy of saving the industry by laying up the ships by which it lives clearly shows the need for a man armed with the knowledge and power to urge fundamentally curative measures.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.