SHIPPING FREIGHTS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 30, 30 October 1918, Page 8

SHIPPING FREIGHTS

THE PROPOSED INCREASE. * ' v , .Tho.follotvijiff letter has been.sei?t by the Auckland Chamber of. Commerce to the l J rime Minister (Hon. "W. ' F. ' Massey):—Tho proposed increase in freight on certain lines to Great- Britain lias been brought under'the iiociee of this chamber by the merchants interested. They point out that on the scoro of necessity owing to increased expenses in running these vessels, this increase in freight cannot innny way be justified, as according ,to the: English papers (see ''.Fair;' play") profits of 40 per cent, to 50 per. cent, would bo earned on the running'pf. these boats at the present Of freight. The following is a comparison of the freights:—

by N. 55. Government. ■Wo understand that all steamers are beinp run at the present time by the British Government, and that any profit in tlio running •of these, after paying charter at Blue Boole rates, belongs to them. We therefore think it is advisable, in-the interests of the producers here,.that you should bring tlie position fully in'front of the Home Government, pointing out how the advance will afl'eet producers. We nro informed the proposed advance only covers goods from New Zealand which have not been commandeered hy the British Governmmt. We.nro also informed by ;a cablegram from Great Britain that no advance in the rate of freight is going to be charged upon goods from the Old Country. As the increase cannot be justified on account of any. loss in running the steamers; and is only to be enforced on certain lines'from this colony, it almost looks to those to whom no explanation has been given as an attempt at profiteering on the part of the British Government, and. unless some satisfactory explanation can be-ftiven this impression frill remain, especially in the minds of those who 'have been adversely, affected by this'advance. It is considered by the merchants here that in the interest of all you should strongly protest nsainst what seems to us a most unjustifiable increase.

Pre-war Late 1 Proposed Hates. Kates.. Bates. Goods. ' Per ton. ■ Per ton. 'Per ton. Hemp 65/- , . ->25/- 1 400/Tow SO/- ■ 520/- 040/Tallov 40/-' '210/- 260/Copra ...... 40/- . 260/- 320/Hines— 111 casks 40/- ' 165/- 205/- . In . sacks 59'- ■ 210/- ■ 260/Per lb. Per lb. Per lb. *Wo.ol Jd. 2Jd. 2Jd.