1 6 8 The Tonnage of Ships. 



pace exceeds 13 per cent, of the gross tonnage, tends very 

 beneficially to encourage the construction of fairly large engine 

 rooms. The inducement to build light hulls would also be 

 great, and if it be true, as we are told, that the days of steel 

 shipbuilding are numbered, and steel is to be discarded for 

 aluminium, the weight of the hull will be enormously reduced, 

 and vessels constructed of aluminium will be placed at a quite 

 unfair advantage for displacement tonnage as compared with 

 those of steel. 



Mr. W. Boyd — I agree with Mr. Macllwaine that the dis- 

 placement would be the best basis of the measurement of 

 tonnage. I do not see why the word '* tonnage " should not be 

 done away with altogether and take " displacement " for pay- 

 ment of dues. There may be some difficulties, but these would 

 soon be got over, and the Harbour Authorities could be allowed 

 by Act of Parliament to have different tariffs for sailing ships 

 and steamers. Regarding the international question, I think 

 if Britain led the way others would very soon follow. I think 

 some very great changes ought to be made in the measurement 

 of crew spaces. Nobody knows where he is until the Board 

 of Trade Surveyor comes down and says what he is going to 

 have. The depth question might be taken into consideration 

 as well as the displacement, but I think the displacement would 

 cover everything, if properly worked, and two tariffs arranged. 



Mr. F. Heyn — I should like to say a word from the commer- 

 cial point of view. We have been so repeatedly harassed with 

 changes in the rules that I think it would be a very serious and 

 a very unfair handicap to shipowners if any further changes 

 were to be made. All those who levy dues or taxation upon a 

 tonnage basis have now arrived at a fairly accurate estimate of 

 the total amount required, and really all we desire is that we 

 should not be further interfered with. I agree with Mr. Connel, 

 that if any change must be made, the Suez Canal basis of ton- 

 nage measurement is really a fair and right basis for getting at 

 the actual tonnage upon which vessels should pay. The rule, 

 if applied to sailing vessels, would, I take it, be on the same 



