STATE SHIPPING

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 218, 9 June 1919, Page 6

STATE SHIPPING

„ AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT. RELATIONS AHTH THE "RING." Some of tho difficulties that confront the Commonwealth Government Shipping Line were indicated at a conference that took place in London some weeks ago. Tho manager of the; line (Mr; Larkin) met a committee of Australian merchants, who evidently were aniiouß lest by using tho Government steamers they should be brought into conflict with the shipping ring. Mr. Larkin mentioned at the outset that there were huge.quantities of Australian produce now awaiting shipment, and in addition there were the prospects of enhanced imports and exports iu the future as compared with prowar days. Tho Government ships would bo doii.g very fair .business if they carried tta considorablo quantities of cargo which Gorman tonnage carried to Australia before the war. To tho question whether the Government would reimburso merchants if _ they forfeited tho Ting's Tebates by patronising tho Commonwealth Line, Mr. Larkin replied by asking them if thoy were certain that such a penalty was involved. Tho members of tho committee replied that all merchants understood that such action was contemplated by the ring, and though they had no official notification, it had been told thorn verbally. Mr. Larkin said he wanted that information, and woald forward it on to Mr. Hughes. J he merchants asked whether tho line would quotq equal rates to Governments and largo and small shippers, and Mr. Larkin gave them an undertaking that ro merchandise shipped either by Commonwealth or Slate Governments would be given profential rates over that shipped by private firms. . To tho question what service the Commonwealth Lino would maintain, Mr. Larkin answered (state* tho "BritishAustraloalan") that the service depended on the amount of support forthcoming. Ho had in view two sailings per month from tho TJnited Kingdom, and could easily provide more if trade warranted it. He further 6aid that he was gratified to.hear Mr. Tredwen state that cargoes would' naturally go to fast vessels specially built for the trade, for it augured well for the prospects of the Commonwealth Line when it got properly going. At present their steamers were quite equal to some of the ring's tonnage employed to-day, and. there was no truth in the statements •in the London Press, which inferred that the Commonwealth steamers were of the "tramp" class, and that they were not fitted with between decks. were perfectly suitable, said Mr. Larkin, for the stowage of general cargo for delivery at several discharging poits, and he would not think of employing an unsuitable vessel for the work.

On the question whether the lino would maintain stability of freight rates, 1 Mr. Larlrin said he hod no desire for a war on rates, and would not cut unless forced to do so in self-defence. If reductions were made they would be uniform, and would tako effect from tho date,of clearance of a given ship, thus avoiding two rate for one cl.i6s of cargo in the one ship. He~would T)e pleased to consult with the merchants, and would give special consideration for rates adversely affecting trade in any particular commodity.

The members of the committee, on leaving expressed their pleasure at the result of the interview, and their appreciation of the satisfactory answers given to their questions.