FREINGHT RATES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 79, 28 December 1918, Page 8

FREINGHT RATES

REPORTED .ANGLO-AMERICAN ARRANGEMENT EARLY REDUCTIONS

New York, December 2G. Tho London correspondent of the Chicago "Tribune" states that the American Shipping Board officials have notified tho British shipping authorities of the terms on which merchant marine compction will be conducted. A 25 per cent, reduction in the American freight r,ates has already beon ordered by Mr. Hurley in order to meet the English rates, and an additional reduction or about the same amount is expected soon. The United States will not undercut the English rates. There is no attempt to reach a uniform scale of wages. Wages or. British ships are higher than before the war, and are likely to remain so. ,Tlig fact that tho new American ships will bo chiefly oil burners is expected to largely offset the advantages of the British iii the matter of wages, because the American ships will be able to reduce the fire-room forces to a minimum. The "Tribune's" Washington correspondent states that the reduction of the freight rate is not confirmed by Washington officials—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SEN4TE DEBATE ON CONSTRUCTION. Washington, December 2G. The Senate is debating the construction of the mercantile marine. Senator Fletcher pointed out that the necessity for ships was now as groat as at any time during tho war. .Britain was planning to build two million tons annually, and France three million. The United States was able to build six million.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.