1953-04-15 — Page 9

THE CHINA MAIL, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 1953.

More Large Drydocks Needed In Britain: Cost A Real Burden

Shortage of drydocks large enough to accommodate the increasing number of bigger ships, particularly tankers, and the need for more sympathetic treatment from the Government in respect of taxation relief and depreciation allowances were emphasised by speakers at the annual meeting of the Institution of Naval Architects in London,

suffered,

These subjects were raised in the discussions in _shipping after Mr E. Leslie Champness, managing director of Palmers Hebburn Co., Ltd., had read his paper "Large Drydocks.”

Mr Alexander Logan said that although three or four private drydock owners had, within the past year or two, carried out or embarked on new or enlarged dry- docks, he could say that construction in the UK. had definitely not been keeping pace with the increase in the size of ships.

It was noteworthy that nowhereby while depreciation was Public Authority had undertaken any new or enlargement pro- gramme in recent years,

само under

Of about 370 innkers in the of 24,000-40,000 region

tons deadweight in nervice, building or on order throughout the world, ubout 180

the ownership

of European countries, the balance of 100 belonging to or companies American owners whose interests were mainly in USA. The majority of the

which had been

In addition to supplying the life-line to this country, seg

transport had a diet rule to

play in military opations. The ships mual move troops and their supplies ail over the world where British forces were operating.

GREATER

IN FUTURE In a future war it seemed likely that the danger at sca from submarines, mines and hostile air craft, would be even greater thur anything perienced in the past, That was why the Royal Navy's construe- tion programme was being con. centrated on ships designed to deal with such a menace. Tho minesweepers, Irigates and were

aircraft carriers which

сх

being built for that purpose called for the utmost skill in the art and selence of naval archilee-

Jap Textiles In Demand

Kingston, Jamales, Apr. 14.

Local merchants Art

seeking to Import 2000,- 000 worth of Japanese tux- files.

Import of the Japaneno foods Is subjeci

proval by the trade con- tral authorities.

Fears expressed that in- port of cheap Japanese kill the pro- goods may

duate of the local textile milla have been partially allayed by an undertaking by the merchants to so- cept "any reasonable form of import restrictions."

Router.

IF U.K. REFUSES

TO SIGN

Wheat Purchase Possibilities

SIAM WORRIED

BY DECLINE IN

TIN AND RUBBER

Bangkok, Apr. 14.

MESSAGERIES.

M

MARITIMES

M

PASSENGERS/FREIGHT SERVICE,

Outwards! "FELIX HOUSSEL"

"LA MARSEILLAISE"

Leaves Marsilles

salled

17 Apr. Hongkong "YELLE ROUSSEL" .. 19 Apr.

Makerwards.

Business quarters today believed that Slam would have to develop the rice and timber trade in "LA MARSEILLAISE" 22-11′ M order to counteract the slipping tin and rubber markets here.

Informed sources told the United Press they are of the opinion that the rubber market might improve if peace was achieved in the cold and hot

wars

Thoy added that one of the main reasons for the Communist effort to bring about a Korean peace might be the Reds' need for rubber ond other strategic material,

Trade circles pointed out that the Reds think that Korean peace probably would result in the lifting of the embargo on vital shipments to them.

The result of this would be soaring rubber prices again if the Chinese Reds entered the world market, the sources add- cti.

However, the rubber trade outlook in Bangkok generally is to the increasing surplus over consumption in the world's pro-

considered to be not bright due

duction of the product.

Tin prices have also fallen to very low levels but the industry is reported to be not in such a

trade.

1

Bell Act Revision Proposals

Manila, Apr. 14.

The National Economile Coun- cll and the 15-man Presidential Committee on trake revision at a joint meeting on Monday created a five-man team to drafs specific proposats for the re- vision of the Bell Trade act.

as members

The team, headed by Central Bank Governor Miguel Cusder- the no Includes Commerce Secretary, Mr Carnello Balmaceda, the former

Administration Economic

Co- ordinator, Mr Salvador Araneta, Mr Liberal representative,

Roy, and А Noxionalista Mr Daniel

allowed on the drydock itself (the walls and floor) the allowance did not apply to the cost of

Adelaide, Apr. 14. excavation. But, he suggested,

Japan and Egypt may be digging" the hole in the ground" was just os much part of the

prepared to increase their total expenditure us ony other

agreed purchases of wheat montes spent in construction and

if Britain and other coun- equipment. There was also the

tries stay out of the new anomaly tint iloating decks were ture, treated as plant for depreciation

international agreement, Mr "To safeguard our position," purposes, while drydocks were Lont Alexander added, "we must T. C. Scott, General Secre- not, a

position which was presS on energetically with tary of the Australian Drydocks

said today.

EXPORTERS COMPLAIN

The creation of the Mr Scott told the Federation's

followed instructions by Prest- conference in Adelaide today the The rubber and tin markets dent Alpidio Quirino to push Wheat Agreement

could carry

are Slam's most important dollar | age on wi

without Britain.

exports. Rice ranks first among action on the Philippine request Ile said:

followed by for an amendment of the Bell "If the United Kingdom stays Slam's exports, in

out of the agreement It will be rubber, tin and timber in the Act along the lines of selectiva

free trade. necessary to adjust

quotas order named. among the remaining signatories to the agreement.

wurd

Vesels would be employed in the patently would only be bull research in both ship design and | Wheat Growers' Association desperate situation as the rubber Jose

1058.

It is equally im-

that our merchant ships they can be given. The Royal Navy and the it.A.F. will do their best to give the necessary protee- tion, but much, I hope, can be done by

transport of crude oil from the Middle

East to U.K./Continent by the expenditure of a lot of portant. and to U.S.A and Canada. New | money. Taxation didation should have all the protection buildings, which in all numbered should be adjusted so as to leave about 240, were

mainly scheduled the capital in the hands of the delivered between now and shiprepairers for investment in It might therefore be that way. Much more encourage assumed that 200 vessels a year ment by way of taxation reliefs were a fair assessment for dock was given in other countries, and ing Europe, of which possibly it was essential that shiprepair

in up to 20 could be drydocking ing firms in this country should

given time

not be handicapped in relation to LITTLE WORKING SPACE their overseas competitors by

As regards drydock availability with facilities

naval architects

designing merchant ships to make the effects of enemy attack less deadly. I can assure you that the Admiralty are always ready to give designery and shipowners

to handle thing deprived of the means of any assistance they can this

ships, while a number of the ducks in the U.K. and Europe

providing all

all the modern feili- neid." ties required.

after Sir Stanley Goodall, could undoubtedly accommodate emphasising the need for ensur- them, nevertheless,

limited ing that the width of the large measurements,

given 18

by drydocks should be sufficient for Lloyd's Register, would appear in both naval and merchant ships, some cases to leave very little said it was dreadful that the working space, which was a very Clyde and Beifast could put very important factor when it came to large ships Into the water but shell plating repairs, renewals, could not fully fit them out or repair them because they did not have sufficiently large dry- docks.

c.

Making appropriate allowance for working space along the lines stated by Mr Champness in his paper, it would appear that there

were

at one tim Bay, 20 large tankers and 1005, was the largest in thei

BOUTHAMPTON DRYDOCKS about 30 drydocks in Mr M. Q. J. McHaffle, who had,

for tankers of been chairman of a special dry- Europe suitable

25,000 tons deadweight, docks committee Initiated by the 21,000 10 decreasing to 18 for tankers bo- L.N.A. some years ago, recalled Successivo drydocka ot tween 20,000 and 32,000 tons and how 11 for tankers of approximately Southampton, to meet the needs 40,000 tons.

Allowing for an of the largest liners, had to be operating margin of 10 per cent replaced as liners grew in size. for contingencies,

The one might

No.

drydock at) Southampton, then have about 27 drydocks to

bullt between 1903 take care of,

quite apart from

from the world at the time,

yet within five years it had to be widened to take the Olympic.

ships

of the liner companies. Mr Logan went on to say that

during discussione. he had had orignally built, its entrance was with drydock owners in this poft, and that had been increased

try, the

of prevent | to 100ft. It was only by reducing the high cost of dock construction wes given the thickness of the rubblitgj as the deterrent to new schemes. fender that this dock was able He would, however, suggest to to accommodate the Berengaria

Mr

dryness that increases in when she was taken

-over from

Thon, in 1924, the Southern Railway installed. the 60,000-ton floating dock at Southampton.

HONGKONG

SHARE MARKET

(From Our Correspondent)

Business done on the Stock' Exchange this morning amount- Noon quotations ed to $355,320. and the morning's transactions:-

BHARES BUYERS SELLERS SALES

BANKS

HK Bank

1393

340

260

700 773

103

East Asia ... INSURANCES

Canton Linkur Underwriters HK Fire

Asta Nay ... 3.40 DOCKS, ETC. Ko Whart

SHIPPING

"Japan and Egypt may be pre- pared to increase their quotas under the agreement.”

Third grade rubber-average Thai rubber quality-lipped to the lowest level in six years last week.!

mualdez ve

kongkong

12 Apr. 10.10 MAY

• Due Maxsetites

for Alanita Yokohama

Via

10. May

Влігон Katgon

West Africa ports,

vla Moraoilies to all Mediterranean & via Djibouti to Madagascar.

Qutwards "MIONKAY"

Homewards *MKINAM” *PEI-HO" "MONDAY"

FREIGHT SERVICE

Leaves ..Dunklk-1) Apri

Leaves

is June

Hopskoog

4-5 211420

*Hongkong

For JADED

for

· Keulung-29 Apt.

30 Apr.

„Keefang➡21 May

34 MAY

1 July

«Keelung-39 June

✦ Balgon, Marseilles, Algiers, Oran, Tangiers, Casablanco, Le Havre, Antwerp, Rotterdam & Dunkirk

CIE DES MESSAGERIES MARITIMES

Queen's Building (Gr. Floor) Tel. 20651 (B linea).

P.O. Box 59, Hongkong

MAERSK LINE

FAST FORTNIGHTLY SERVICE TO: NEW YORK, BOSTON, BALTIMORE & PHILADELPHIA via BAN FRANCISCO, LOS ANGELES AND PANAMA.

NEXT SAILINGS

M.Y. "LEXA JAERIK" *6.V. "PETER MAERSK* group

m.v. "JEPPESEN MAERSK"

Apr.

17

May

May

Calling Vancouver

ARRIVALS FROM U.S.A.

M.T. "LEISS-MAERSK” M.V. "JEPPESEN MARDak“ m.v. "GRETE MAERSK”

Apr

Apr

Mày

The Finance Secretary. Mr

the

Aurello Montinola, who presided over the joint meeting, instructed the group to submit its recom- mendations to the NEC and the Presidential Committee on Friday Britain is the world's biggest With labour and other pro-aftemoon when the two bodies wheat importer. She took 177,- duction costs mounting producers will meet jointly again.

581,000,000 bushels "cannot now make ends meet"

Philippine request for 000,000 of the 42 Importing countries it is reported.

revision of the Trade Act agreed to buy from the exporters

rocolved bas

encouragement in the current crop year.

the actual drop in the

from con

President Eisenhower. The Mr John McEwen, Minister rubber price they have had to

chief executive, for Agriculture, sald in Mel-pay a seven per cent export duty bourne today.

that "Australia on the price per kilo set by the reply to a letter from Mr Quirino

on the matter, expressed will not enter any Wheat Customs Department for the Administration's desire to help Agreement depriving her of the quarter beginning in April the Philippines. right to send normal supplies United Press. to her traditional customers,"

UNQUALIFIED

Ho had been asked what would happen if Britain, India, New Zealand or other countries falled to sign the new Interna- tional Agreement, opened for day.

ife said! The Agreement negotiated in Washington contained a list of quantities that each exporting country engaged to supply with- in an agreed price range.

which WUS signatures yester-

It also set out the quantities the importing countries would 620with--Australia's -- signaturo. 500 0.20 will be the unqualified stipuin- tion of her right to determine lower supply quotas for part- cipating countries".

72

N. Pl. Whart

Dock Provident

18,70

112

Shai Dock Wheelock

200

3000

18.00

2.03

710 7.00 800 67%

400 7,55

HK Hotel. 7.35 7.43 2500

7.43

200

500

7.40 7,40

HK Land (0)

1256 57

100

55

350 11 30

100

S'hai Land 1.40 1,40

dues would not be the the Germans, as she had a beam LAND, ETC. solution, for there were already of 98ft. 10, giving a clearance Gized of only ein, The Majestic, in her a number of suitably

in operation on the turn, could not get in. drydocks Continent which would react competitively.

FINANCIAL BURDEN Mr D. financial

of the problem, aspect Baid it was a real burden upon the

Industry's shiprepairing ability to provide the facilities, urgently called for to meet the needs of the future in the way

drydocks. The existing in

allowances

of large

It

emergency applied Admiralty became

Tram...... 214 2150 Peak Tram 10 07 Star Ferry 10:3

1000 # 1315

C. Light (0) 10 10.0 2700

Light (N) 015 0.00 1000

23 23.20

Electric

the

Humphreys. 13.70 Rae, discussing the That was capable of dealing with UTILITIES

the largest ships afloat. When the Queen Mary caine along the floating duck was no use for her. was aid and the King George V Dock was built.

Mr B. P. Ingamelis denied that

time

Telephona the major INDUSTRIALS ydocks

totally user of private drydocks. It was Cement and completely failed true that in time of

war the STORES, ETC. the incidence of demand was

Dairy high, but a just Drydocks for balance was held, and the repair wore of merchant ships was just as depreciation purpo606 treated on the same basis as imp

naval repairs. as important

He urged that in buildings to be written off over

The In-facilities for new drydocks perlod of 50 years. dustry contended that that was a should be a lift provided He MISCELLANEOUS wrong conception, and that dry had experience of climbing up

to recognise obsolescence.

a

жете

docks should be treated as items

of heavy industrial plant.

After alluding to the efforts of

Watson

93 898

17 17.00 1000

14.20 13

10% 10.70 1000

1000 18.00 1000 & 18.00) 1300 21

2112

10.00

Britain has refused to pay a maximum price of more than US$2 (14/4d) a bushel. Most countries have accepted the pro- posed price of US$2.05 (1478d)

bushel-Reuter.

The Rubber

Markets

Singapore, Apr. 15. Prices of rubber futures closed today as follows:-- Number 1 rubber, per Ib.

May

67-871'4

June

0015-0715

July

00-6714

Number 2 rubber. M

*3*4-04

300 2115

Number 3 rubber, May

601-01

100 2115 332 2715 100

Number 4 rubber, May

$615-50

Epot, rubber, unbäled

6355-67

27

Blanket crepe

60-62

No. 1 pale crepe

73+00

L. Crawford 27.20 21.50 proposed there

and down In drydocks. modern construction, a lift would be used not only by oficials but

the Drydock Owners' and by men working there. A lift

1949 to oblak #MANIC do-under

was being lited at North Shields, treat whore the only now drydock was construction In this country.

Repairens Central Comell since ment from the partments concerned, Mir Rae sold events did not stand cull the simple issue was being ponderod

whand considered. Every

year saw the growth number of large

COMPs, but more large

necessary i

to

adequately the services required with shipping because -1 was a

Tangtze ...30

LONDON TIN MARKET

London, Apr, 14. The tin market was steady today, Turnover wa 125 tons. including 25 tons for wish, Prices closed at the end of the official morning session as fallowS

Spat tin, buyers Spot tin, meliora

"Business" dons at

739 740

Three-months tin, buyers 1273) Three-months din, sellers 730 Business done at

140=72716 Settlement

730 -United PrORE.

Exchange Rates

Business

--United Press. NEW YORK MARKET

New York, Apr. 14. Number 1 standard rubber futures closed today 6 to 23 points higher with sales of 153 contracts.

Number 3 closed nominally 10 points higher with no sales re ported. Most of the trading in futures was represented in an exchange of December and July contracts at 35 points difference.

Prices closed as follows:- Number 1 standard,

25.73

Bay

dubber exporters complain that

Wall Street Rallies

New York, Apr. 14. A late rally in stool and rail stocks bolstered the market to- day, lifting prices as much as a point for the first gain in four sessions, Volume was light but, well at 1,400,000 shares, was

yesterday's above

1.280,000 shares. Analysts pointed to the renewed talle of tax reduction and steel price increases, the increasing run of good first quarter reports and the opti- favourable miatic forecasis pr factors. They also mentioned the steadily slackening voluma in the past three yssions.

The market broadened with 1.118 issues traded against 1,097 Of these 480 of yesterday. advanced, 305 declined and 284 held unchanged. Steel shares, turning active in the last hour, extended early tractional gains. Bethlehem added to 51%1⁄2, US Steel % to 89%. Rails also come to life late in the session, closing with gains ranging to

Other 24

groups points. followed and the gals on the any added $500,000,000 to the total market valuations.

in

his

In his letter President Elsen- hower suggested that prelimin- ary talks be started in Manila between the United States Am- bassador, Mr Raymond Spru- ance, and Philippine officials to dotermine if further talks Washington would be necessary.

United Pross.

In

American Loan

For Japan?

Washington, Apr. 14. The Export and Import Bank and Japanese Embassy sources said today negotiations between Tokyo were the Bank virtually completed for a $40,-

Bank loan to 000,000

the Japanese government to Arance American collons purchases.

and

An Embassy source said the Banks had indicated willingness to extend the loan. The com plotion of the credit now awaits enly approval from Tokyo this

The said. source

indicated terms of the loan cannot be ro vealed until Tokyo approves.

The Bank source sald also

the discussions were virtually bul declined to completed, name the amount of the loan. However, this source said that $40,000,000 is the approximate amount. It also

expected the be completed negotiations to shortly.

This would be the second surch Bank loan to Japan. The 1190 for $40,000,000, fret, to 15, Ainska Juneau gold already has been expended.

Associated Press, higher at 3%-United Press.

Activity wod centred in low priced issues-Pepsicola up 1⁄2

M.V. "FELIX ROUSSEL"

will sail for Marseilles

via

Manila, Salgon, Singapore, Colombo, Djibouti, Suez and Port Sald

on

Sunday, April 19th, 1953, at NOON

EMBARKATION:

Passengers are requested to board the vessel 21 25 minal between 9 and 11 a.m. on Sunday, April 19th 1959.

July

September

December

Morch

May

No. 3 standard. May July September December Was done in the local

March Mar

21.35 nominal

F1.30 nominal

United Press.

LONDON MARKET

London, Apr, 14.-

COUNTRY'S LIFE-LINE Importance of the British in the Merchant Navy in war and peace tankers and was emphasised in a speech by other large vessola. Drydock Viscount Alexander. construction today, was dry Minister of Defence, he had a Lord Alexander said that, as

It special interest in anything to do there vitally the industry was

vital element in the delance of To these islands and in all defence by modern merchant fleets. have too few drydocks

of plans. He was not only thinking adequate.size and capacity for of the Royal Navy, but, of the handling my rood defleleney were fundamental to the national stripe was to Merchant Navy, because both suffer from a very in the national

enfety. defences. INDUSTRY'S CASE

Those who had experienced ense was that as two world

could never for regards

new forget that the greatest danger drydock....

por JE. ex- they had had to face was the Stockholders Angry M tensions and modernisations of

of cutting of the nation's life-lines existing drydocks, annual by enemy submarines and air-

́Parks, Apr. 14. allowances

should be granted on craft, but thanks to the efflelency The French National, Stock- scale designed to write off the of the ships, and to the bravery holders Association sharply pro- *** whole.of. the cxpenditure within of the men who manured them, tested today against the suspen- the anticipated useful life of the that menace was overcome. But slon by Japan of the talks on the peset, and that had been put to the sacrifice in lives, and in terms vettlement of the 1910 4 per day in large drydocks at an of shipping was appalling. It cent Jepanese bond Iesus and

the indicated that it' might that average of 23 yearscan was

tinfortunate

21.45 nominal

BAGGAGE:

unoficial exchange market this sterling note per el mering at the following rates.

Luggage roam, hold, and Cably baggage will be U.9. dollar (per BANK KOTA

registered at the Kowloon dodown, No. 50 (No. 2 Gate, Indonesian guildery (per 100) 19.09.

gayard (Strails) Stam tiels (per 100)

33.16

Canton Road Entrance) on the 17th April from 2 to ũ 1.435

Prices of rubber futures closed .. and on the 18th April from 8 am, to Noon and from Fid piastres (per 100)

i today us, follows:

Number 1 rubber, in pener

June

July/Beptember October/December January/Borch

-Unlied Press.

New York; Apr, 142. Copra was quoted today: at (ask | $225 per shortion, asked for. Mr Baa.. then pointed out an ordinary man in this country did for International arbitration April shipment if the Pacifc anomaly, in existing legislation, not really appreciate the Loures United Press.

Count-United Press.

2 to 5 p.m. No baggage will be registered after that time. Passengers are requested to note that ALL BAGGAGE 'must be registered as prescribed above.

Our Passenger Dopertment will remain open on Saturday afternoon the 18th April during office hours,. and on Sunday the 19th April from 9 to 11 a.m.

Compagnie Des Messageries Maritimes Queen's Building.

Tel: 26651 (8: Ifrien)

For Freight and Further Particulars please apply to:-

AGENTS:

JEBSEN & CO.

Tel. Nos. 36086-9

Pedder Building.

Chinese Freight. Booking Office 27, Connaught Road, C.

Tel. 20461

Dater and rofalion subject to change without notice. At liberty to proceed via other porta to load/discharge cargo.

EVERETT

LINES

EVERETT ORIENT LINE Fast regular freight-refrigerator-passenger service to Korea, Japan, Philippines, Indo- China, Siam, Malaya, Rangoon, Calcutta and Chittagong.

"BRADEVERETT“

Arrives Suils

Apr. 22 from Manila, Apr. 23 for Singapore,

Rangoon

"REBEVERETT”

Arrives Saila

મ

Apr. 25 from Singapore.

Apr. 25 for Yokohama,

(Accepting careo for transtvipment Kobe/Pusan and Kobe/Okinawa)

Penang,

Calcutta,

EVERETT STAR LINE

Fast regular freight-refrigerator-passenger service to Korea, Japan, Philippines, Indo. China, Slam, Malaya, Colombo, Bombay, Karachi and Persian Gulf Ports., "STAR BETELGEUSE”

Apr. 27 from Singapore. Apr. 27 for Kobe

Arrives Salla

"STAR ARCTURUS“

Arrives Sallo

May 1 from Japan.

Yokohama,

May 2 for Singapore, Part Swet- tenham, Madras, Colombo, Bombay, Karachi, Khor- ramshahr, Basrah & Bahrein.

(Accepting cargo for transhipment Kobe/Puran and Kabe/Okinawa)

EVERETT STEAMSHIP CORPORATION 5/A Queon's Building, Telephong 31206. Chinese Department: Telephone 28293.

BUSINESS REGULATION ORDINANCE 1952

Copies of the prescribed Forms 1 (a) 1 (b), and 1 (c),

Now On Sale at S. C. M. Post, Ltd. HONGKONG AND KOWLOON

TEN CENTS EACH