On Thursday week Mr. Lloyd-George received a deputation at the
Board of Trade on the subject of the Channel Ferry. , Lord Weardale, the chairman of the Channel Ferry Company,- explained that, before laying their project before M. Clemenceau and the Minister of Public Works in France—who has since assured the promoters of his benevolent interest in the scheme —they were anxious to secure a confirmation of the friendly declarations already made in Parliament by Sir H. Campbell- Bannerman. Sir C. Rivers Wilson, chairman of the Grand Trunk Railway of Canada, described the satisfactory working of such ferries in America and on his own railway ; while Admiral Sir Cyprian Bridge guaranteed the ability of naval architects to cope with the difficulties of the problem. In his reply Mr. Lloyd-George stated that there could be no doubt as to the attitude of the Government towards the Channel Tunnel and the Channel Ferry schemes. The condemnation of the former, in which the Leader of the Opposition had unreservedly joined, represented not merely a Departmental. opinion, but a considered policy on the part of his Majesty's Government in which the two great political parties were emphatically united. As regards the ferry the Prime Minister's views were equally clear. Mr. Lloyd-George did. not think that there was any doubt in any one's mind that if it were feasible it was exceedingly desirable. Subject. to the approval of experts, he and his Department would be. very happy to do everything in their power to assist in carrying through the project. We are delighted to hear that at last there is a chance of an improvement in the Channel service, which is long overdue.
Previous page
