Shipping Services

Dislocated Effect of War Conditions in Pacific

11HERE has been considerable dislo . cation of shipping services in the Pacific, during the month, but this is due more to the action of crews in refusing to go to sea without substantial increases in wages, rather than to enemy action.

Although there have been suspicions that a German pocket-battleship came round Cape Horn into the Pacific —see article elsewhere —there is absolutely no evidence, up to date, that this enemy unit is in the Pacific. All necessary and possible precautions have been taken, however.

Shipping services in the Pacific are completely in charge of the Allied Naval Command, and dispositions are made and ships sail according to the orders given from day to day by the Naval Command.

Islands residents should understand that the effect of these necessary pre cautions is that the regular Islands liners frequently cannot adhere strictly to their timetables—in some cases they are as much as a week late.

The costs of shipping services are steadily rising, and Pacific Islands resi dents may expect a further increase in fares and freights. The shipping com panies say that such an increase is un avoidable. Fuel, supplies and insurance are all higher; the daily re-arrangement of ships’ courses, in accordance with naval instructions, is costly; and even more costly are the crews’ demands for higher wages on account of war risks.

The Burns, Philp trans-Pacific freighter “Tulagi” was held up for some days in a West American port on account of the crew’s demand for higher wages. The in creased rates were granted, and the ship sailed.

W. R. Carpenter and Company’s vessel "Suva”, which maintains a regular ser vice between Pacific Islands ports and Western America, was delayed for several days in Rabaul owing to the demand of the crew for higher wages. She was still there a week ago; but we understand that the higher rates were granted, and that the ship has sailed.

The trans-Pacific Matson liner "Mon terey”, with 700 passengers for Australia and New Zealand aboard, was held up in Los Angeles for several days, in conse quence of a demand by the crew for an additional wage, equal to 30 per cent, in crease, on account of war risks. This threw the Matson Line’s regular time table out of gear.

The famous old B.P. steamer "Montoro”, which was reported sold to Eastern buyers, returned to Sydney recently and re-entered the service of the firm. It is not known, at this date, whether she will be used on the New Guinea or the Sing apore run—but the latter is the more likely.

Mr. E. Cope, of 27 Lindsay Street, Ash grove, Brisbane, W. 3., says in a letter to the editor that he would like to ex change used Australian stamps for used stamps of the countries in which the "Pacific Islands Monthly” circulates.

Persons interested should write to him.