12 NOVEMBER 1937, Page 44

SHIPPING PROSPECTS.

At the recent annual general meeting of the London Maritime Investment Co., Ltd., Mr. Percy Cross, in the absence through indisposition of the Chairman, Sir F. Vernon Thomson, presided, and read the speech which had been prepared by Sir Vernon. After recording the increase in profit for the year, Sir Vernon made some interesting observa- tions with regard to the general shipping outlook. Both as regards tramp shipping and shipping generally he was able to speak encouragingly, though he described the present outlook as not so good as it was a month or two ago though " still - showing signs that better times for shipping should prevail for some considerable time."- Sir Vernon also referred to the improVement which had taken place in world trade, expressing the opinion that the figures for 1937 were likely to show a marked increase over those for the preceding year.