The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1902-05-12
WORRY FOR MORGAN
THE SHIPPING COMBINE IN THE
COMMONS.
Some Members Want it Squelched at
Once-The Government Says it is
Looking Out for National interests.

LONDON May IAN attempt was
made in the House of Commons to get
the government to pledge itself to pre-
vent the transfer of British steamships
to a foreign flag pending the report of
the Committee, under the Craftsmanship
of the Earl of Camperdown, recently
appointed by the Admiralty to inquire
into the subject.
The government leader, A. ]. Balfour,
pointed out that a suggestion of such
startling character could not be carried
out without the gravest consideration.
1t simply amounted to a proposal that
the government should prevent Bri-
fish subject from selling his property
to a foreigner No doubt the matter
referred to was very serious but such
a drastic change in established prac-
tice could not be undertaken lightly.
After the president of the Board of
Trade, Gerald Belfour had informed
the House of Commons this afternoon
that he had been COnfidentally inform
ed of the terms of the proposed transAt-
lantic combine which did not necessarl-
ly involve a change in the nationality
of the ships and the government leader
A. j. BalfOur had announced that the
officials of the White Star line did not
appear to have violated their contract
with the British Admiralty, Russell Rea
]
moved the adjournment of the House
in order to discuss the matter, which
was of urgent public Importance. A
few members having spoken of the
great anxiety experienced through the
country as a result of the formation OF
combine of such strength, \. ]. Bal
! four expressed the hope that the debate
would be closed. He quite appreciated
| the Importance of the subject and the
desire of members to discuss it. But
no useful purpose could be served by a
debate now. The government had Deen
| privately informed regarding the action
| of private individuals. and are giving
| the matter anxious consideration, but
| if ii disclosed this information it would
| shut the door to further confidence. The
government would be bound to make
such arrangements with regard to the
navy as the proposed changes might
! necessitate, but regarding the effect of
the combination in British maritime in
terest, and what should be done to meet
it no announcement of it's policy could
| be made except after prolonged and
| anxious consideration of the compli-
Gated problem. Under the present ar
rangements the subsidized ships remain
in the service of the Admiralty for an
other two years, and the government
would be much blameable if in the in
continuance of the existing arrange
ments or make others equally service.
able to the Admiralty and the country
In the meanwhile the government die
rot propose on the spur of the momen
to announce any departure from tn,
traditional policy of not interfering
with the freedom of commerce. Tn,
ministers would be charlatans if the!
did anything of the kind 1t would b.
n GA - nj
roughly sift the whole matter from
commercial point of view. 1t must b.
remembered that This was not thu
commercial enterprise engineered by
foreign and hostile government, but
trade combination. Those who sOugh
this combine so menaced the commerce
of this country that the government
should interfere were admitting, whe
Their they liked it or not, that the doc
trine of individual enterprise ha
broken down.
! James Bryce (LiberaD former presi
dent of the Board of Trade, advocated
; the withdrawal of the motion But h,
urged the government to make
: prompt inquiry into the subject
Other speakers held that the arrange
ment was in no way unpatriotic. Tn,
companies had simply made a reason
able and businesslike combine
Sir Joseph Woodhouse LiberaD as
serted British maritime and mercan
tile interests were menaced by the Am
orleans, and he wanted the government
to take action in order to stem tn
tide.
l Rear-Admiral Charles Beresfort
, Conservative said he feared the Am
erican trust would use this combin
to pour United States produce into thi
country, to the disadvantage of tn
producers here, and that there woul
; be general disruption of the Who'll
trade and commerce of Great Britain
Lord Beresford advocated subsidizinI
steamers on the Canadian route. Mr.
Reas motion was ultimately with