A "BAKSHEESH!"

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2780, 26 May 1916, Page 5

A "BAKSHEESH!"

TACTICS AT THE LONDON DOCKS. In addition to tho natural increase in tho pricc of- dress stuffs and consequent upon the high price of wool, cotton, etc., tho increas§ in wages, freights, and insurance, importers in NewZealand liavo found to tlieir cost, that another chargo that hardly comes within tho range of the legitimate is being made which still further piles up the cost. This charge is consequent upon tlio shortago of vessels, and tho fact that for every steamer leaving a Home port there fs doublo (and at times more) cargo offering than can ho accommodated. This is tho stevedores' chance, and, according to reports received by local houses, tliey have not failed to take it. AVith ' goods urgently wanted, the London, agenjs have found that advantngo can 'bo gained by giving "baksheesh" to tho stevedores; who when sufficiently, compensated, manage to ship the goods away, leaving behind those of agents who have not npplied the .essential palm oil. This pernicious. system is said-to be iu general practice, and one, withal, that is growing, for, as one agent ascertains that his clients' goods are bc-ing left consistently, he naturally loses no time in discovering why, and immediately has no recourse but to apply tho remedy, at the cost of the .ultimate consumer.. v