AMERICAN FREIGHT CHARGES

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2354, 9 January 1915, Page 9

AMERICAN FREIGHT CHARGES

A RISE REPORTED

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Auckland, January 8. A cablegram has been received by Messrs. John Burns and Company. Ltd., from America,- stating that freight charges' from ports of the United States have been substantially increased. The message states that the freights per ton for minimum groat case goods is now 555., and for maximum great case goods loss. The freights ruling since November have been 32b. 6d. and 625. 6d. respectively, and the increase on freights charged before the war broke but is calculated to be 60 per cent, and 67} per cent. Mr. Robert Burns, managing director of John Burns and Co., stated that the increase would have a serious effect on the wholesame and retail prices of Ameri-' can goods. The burden would fall, however, upon the buyers, who would have to pay higher prices for many necessary lines of hardware. American importations include woodware, lamp chimneys, candles, agricultural implements, carriage ware, glassware, wire rods, turpentine, nails, staples, etc. . English' manufacturers do not try to compete with Americans in most of theße lines, and, moreover, they are so busy at the present time carrying out orders from the British Government that they refuse to quote prices for lines such as nails and staples, and such quotations as are received for other lines aro so much in advance of American prices that the importation of these goods, even with the advantage of cheaper freights, is impracticable so far as New Zealand merchants are concerned. "It is ridiculous," said Mr. Burns, "that these freights should be charged, and yet there is at present no apparent alternative for New Zealand merchants but to pay them. The Americans raised freight charges by 25 per cent, in November, and now Ahey have added S3 1-3 per oeni, and this does not include the usual 10 per cent, primage." The increase in freights Mr. Burns considered could be traced to the influence of.German merchants. Americans have for some time chartered German ships, and depended solely,, on .these for the conveyance of goods colonies.. These ships were controlled by American-Ger-man companies. The effect of this was felt at the beginning of the war, when 'the steamers Wildenlels and Stolzenfels, of the Soussa Line, were interned at Sydney. Most of the cargo.in these vessels was consigned to Auckland merchants, and at great expense to them it had to be transhipped. "In my opinion," concluded Sir. Burns, "the whole matter must be attributed to German interests, which are trying to force the American Government to try to get interned German ships either sold or back into trade again." The manager of > the 'local branch of We Sew Zealand Shipping Co., which runs-a line of ships from Montreal to New Zealand, stated no advice had been received from Canada concerning an advance- in freights. ,