ALLEGED EXORBITANT FREIGHTS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2674, 21 January 1916, Page 8

ALLEGED EXORBITANT FREIGHTS

A CASE FOR INQUIRY ByTelegraph—Press .Association—Copyright London, January 19. "The Times" draws attention to a circular issued by the Rureiman Company, London t inviting tonnage for North American wheat oil behalf of the British, Italian, and French Governments, at freights ranging from 16s. to 225. 6d. per quarter. 'The circular las been frequently dismissed in the Baltic Exchange, where there'has been much comment at the British Government countenancing such extraordinary rates, and the possible immunity of such vessels from being •requisitioned. CAUSE.OF INCREASED FREICHTS. London, January 19. When the handling'of the Common- , wealth harvest was being considered, the question 'was. raised ' whether Britain would commandeer. the whole of tlie shipping tonnage. Mr. Runciman, in the House'of . Commons to-day, said that tlio question, was considered with a view to regulating i freights, but It was decided that'it would only aggravate the shortage. ' The Government took steps in November to restrict the employment of British ships at foreign ports, and was now arranging for. the closer co-onlba-tion of the tonnage used for military, naval, munition, and food purposes for the Allies and. ourselves. . He hoped that there would be further economy in the use of requisitioned tonnage, and an increase in > the ships available. 'The recent rise in freights wa6 due to the large number of steamers which the Argentine trade had _ suddenly requi.sii tioned for bringing nitrates from South America. AVe had replaced them, with neutrals, which brought about the higher freights. . .Need for economy of tonnage in every department was imperative. l Arrangements were being mad© to return some of the dock workers from tfie front. ...-■•