6
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CONCLUSION
The
The world has been full of doubt and anxieties in the past two years,
since the oil crisis dealt a further shock to an already hesitant economy.
serious recession which followed has fallen heavily on shipowners, who have
carried so far this year about 10% less cargo than last year. Nor can the
prospects of recovery yet be readily assessed,
I do not suppose that, impressive as is the list of experts who are
attending this conference, you will leave here with any panacea for the
temporary sickness of world trade; but perhaps you will leave us with more
hope for the future than when you came.
It
For this is a place which breads optimism. It was belief in the
growth of trade with China which was the reason for its foundation.
has been developed by the enterprise of men with small capital but huge
faith and by the diligence of the thousands who brought hope with them as
their only asset, when they came from other lands to make this place their
home. Consequently, whatever the difficulties which have beset us, we have
managed to retain, as I am sure the shipping world has done, an undimmed
optimism for the future.