GRAIN FREIGHT SHORTAGE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1436, 10 May 1912, Page 5

GRAIN FREIGHT SHORTAGE.

SOME CHRISTCHTJRCH VIEWS. (By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent.) Christchurch, May fl. The action taken, by the 'Hen. T. Buxton in trying to get (lie Premier to move for tlio purpose of remedying the present shortage of grain freights has caused comment among shipping agents and exporters. Mr. Buxton asked the Premier whether he could not induce shipping facilities to be given from outside traders, as it was of vital importance to the producers to be able to reach the markets that required their produce. Mr. Mackenzie had replied that he would first see what the local shipping firms were able to do in the near future. This interchange produced astonishment in local shipping circles, and the managers of tlio various shipping firms who were interviewed to-day asserted that under the circumstances they had doiie all tliov could to assist shippers. In brief, their argument was as follows:— Tho rato of freight on grain to London was 255. per ton at present. To charter a special vessel to carry grain to London would necessitate a charge of S2s. Gd. per ton for freight. If the exporters wore prepared to pav that rato of freight thcro would tie little or no difficulty in getting a ship or ships, but ifttiey were not prepared to pay that Ireight, then tliov could not expect the shipping companies to bear the loss that would bo entailed in bringing special vessels to Aew Zealand ports. Several prominent grain merchants were seen by n representative of the "Press." The most remarkable part about the interviews was the canape" exhibited by the merchants pvor tho whole matter. All agreed, that there had b«ni a shdrtag* of gruiii freights more so this year than for somo famo past, but it was also generally admitted ihat tho shipping companies had done the best they could under tho circumstances. The enm total of oil the interviews seems to show that tho shortage which is undoubtedly more acute than usual, must bo -put down to the season more than to any delinquencies of the companies controlling freight bottoms. The grain came in with more of a rush than usual, owing to tho fact that stock threshing was not so general, and the lack of railway facilities «dd«l to tho pressure. Grain is not such a oaring caruo to carry as wool, meat, and dairy produce. The shipping companies relv' more on these to pay expenses anil maV profit* than on gi-;iin. and naturally uive them preference in iiio<t cases. Tt is probablo Iliat /.inw will be ample jiibco for June and July shipment*. poB- I jdblar wore tiMJEJU ■.-■ \