Examiner (Launceston, Tas. : 1900 - 1954), Tuesday 15 April 1947, page 2


-TOPICS OF THE DAY

EFFORT TO RETAIN

CRUSADER

Efforts are to be made to retain the services of the 1500-ton motor vessel, Crusader, which is to be "scrap-ped" shortly in Melbourne, for trading between the main-land and Tasmania.

"¡VTR. G. W. A. DUTHIE, M.H.R., ] i J- who is leaving for Canberra

this morning, said yesterday that! he would contact the chairman of

the Australian Shipping Board in ¡ Melbourne and, the Minister for Supply and Shipping (Sen. Ashley) In Canberra and discuss the possi-bility of retaining the 'chip's' ser-vices for Tasmania.

The Crusader, which is under Army control, left Launceston for Melbourne on Sunday. On arrival at Melbourne, the vessel is to be scrapped and members of the crew,

! all of whom are Army personnel, ,

released I I The recent decision to scrap the

vessel was made on the ground that

the ship was unseaworthy. I j Mi. Duthie said that, with a few

repairs, the vessel might be able to continue trading until such time as the present shipping shortage

was overcome.

"The Crusader, has been a great help to Tasmania with its trading over the past few months," he said. "She is adapted to' carrying heavy cargo and her loss to the trade will be severely felt by this state."