THE RISE IN WOOL FREIGHTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2921, 6 November 1916, Page 6

THE RISE IN WOOL FREIGHTS

« SIR JAMES WILSON,'S VIEWS "FARMERS HAVE THEIR OWN REMEDY." By Telegraph.—(Special Correspondent.) Wanganui, November 4., Tho increased freight on wool exported from New Zealand is still the main topic of conversation among woolgrowers alone; tho West Coast, and the proposal made by the Taranaki executive of tho Farmers' Union, that all fanning interests in New Zealand should combine and raise three million pounds to control their own shipping, is considered by many authorities as the solution to prevent further exploitation of the producers by the shipping companies. Fresh and interesting light on the situation has been shed by Sir James Wilson, of Bulls, .who, in tho course 'of a reply to_ an appreciative letter which he received from tho secretary of. the Taranaki executive, in connection with tho prompt protest ho, as head of tlio Farmers' "Union, made when the announcement of the increase was made, first of all acknowledges the compliment, and then goes on to say• "The freight on wool would have been higher only tho shipping company found that the Scales Company was getting a vessel to carry 30,000 bales, and that'they could do it at 2 l-3d. They intended to raise tho freights to the same as for viz., 23th, and were considering a rise to 3d.,\ but had to name tho same as the Scales Company. This meant a saving in freight to New Zealand- oi £375,000, showing what can bo done if tho farmers combined. One penny per lb. on wool, butter, and clieeso would bring in £1,600,000 in two years, and we would have a fleet of second-to-none, up-to-date oaTgo steamers. The forst of it is that at the end of tho war some people will onter into n contract for freight, and contract to only send by contracting stenmers, and' thus exclude any others. The farmers have the whole thing in their own'hands."