PREPAYMENT OF FREIGHT

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2314, 23 November 1914, Page 9

PREPAYMENT OF FREIGHT

A meeting of the Shipping arid Insurance Committee of the Central Chamber of Commerce was held in the Council Chambers on Wednesday, and there were present: Messrs.' W. Smith (chairman), H. G. Hill, A. Leigh Hunt, and Robert Hall. The committee considered the question of overseas shipping, as referred to them by the chamber on Monday, and on the motion of Mr. H. G. Hill, seconded by Mr. R.- Hall, it was resolved that, "The Governnient be requested to take whatever steps are .'necessary to get the shipping companies to withdraw the stipulation enforcing the prepayment of freight on -wooland kind-red lines, and also to get an undertaking from the shipping companies that the 25 per cent, surcharge will be immediately withdrawn as soon, as the British Admiralty declare our sea routes clear of the enemy's armed ships." The question of supplying foodstuffs to •neutral countries was also discussed at length, and it was decided on the motion of Mr. A. Leigh Hunt, seconded by Mr. Smith, the Government be requested to taie such steps as are necessary to provide, that all foodstuffs going from New Zealand to neutral countries shall not be for the enemy, and further if the needs-of the British Empire during the war are such that it requires all the foodstuffs produced by the overseas Dominions, then the Government will immediately prohibit the export of foodstuffs to countries outside the British Empiro and i her Allies." ;

". On the motion'of Mr. Leigh Hunt, seconded by Mr. Smith, it was decided that the question of repayment on prepaid bills of lading :-for goods imported into New Zealand and the question of shipping coiitraots be referred to tho ohamber for further consideration. It was also decided that the foregoing resolutions be sent by the secretary to the Prime Minister with a request that a deputation from the chamber would like to wait upon him on his return to Wellington, in reference to the matters contained in the resolutions, and that, 'further, the secretary hand the resolution to tho Press immediately for publication.