3 DECEMBER 1904, Page 31

Sin, — Mr. Livingstone Holmes, writing in your issue of Novem- ber

26th, makes two astounding statements :—(1) That the vessels of other nations (France and America excepted) get cheaper insurance than English vessels. Will he kindly furnish statistics to prove this ? After thirty-five years" ex- perience in insurance business, I beg to say that his state- ment is incorrect. (2) He says that Italy and Germany buy iron steamers from us, break them up, and build steel steamers from the result. Can he furnish the names of any firms which have done so ; and explain how many iron steamers one would have to buy to produce from the result one steel steamer worth (say) £20,000 P—I am, Sir, &c.,

MARINE INSURANCE BROKER.