SHIPPING FREIGHTS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 57, 1 December 1920, Page 8

SHIPPING FREIGHTS

A REDUCTION NECESSARY

DAIRY FARMERS SERIOUSLY t • AFFECTED Tho Dominion Executivo of tho New Zealand Farmers' Union yesterday decided to make representations to the" Government, urging that endeavonis lie made to secure a reduction in shipping freights. Mr. T. Moss (vice-president) sai<l thn dairy farmers were at present being affected acutely by tho high freights ruling. The freights ruling on cheese during the commandeer was IJ<l. per lb., plus 5 per cent., 'but the other day tho shipping authorities notified tho dairy companies that the rate would be increased to I'd. plus 10 por cent. Tho price of cheese had gone down in the last month or two, and them was a rumour of a big slump. Whether the agents at nome were trying to "bear" the market or not, he did not know, but if the report was true, then the position for the dairy farmers was very serious. Inquiries on the point had been made of tho dairy farmers' London agent, but the strange thing was that thoy had hoard nothing of the slump from there. The rumour had conic from outside sources.

Mr. W. J. Poison (Wangnnui): Wo were told that there was 75 per cent, more cheese on the market than the market was consuming, and that it was deteriorating rapidly. Mr. Moss: "Wo heard the report from one of 'the banks. Tho agents say that there 'is no information. The shipping companies are making .£220.000 in profits out of olieeso alone." When higher f wights'were being charged on a falling market it was thno something was done. Mr. Maesey had promised to do his best with the imperial Government aftor it had been pointed out to him that once freights were increased it would be very difficult to get the shipping companies to reduce' thorn again. He thought they should support Sir. Masse}-, and he moved that they write to him, urging that he should do all he could to have the situation relieved. Mr. Poison: Does not tho Imperial Government control the ships up to April next, nnd is it not responsible for the freight? ' ' Mr. Moss: Yes. ■ Mr. Poison: Well, then, it is the Imperial Government that will be asked to reduce freights. Mr. Moss: Yes. I think it is a very urgent mntter, and that we should move at once. While the butter people have, got a sure market, the cheese men are hesitating, ami are in a quandary as to what they arc going to do. They are trying to make arrangements to go out of' cheese-making, and make 1 butter instead. This is unsettling to trade, and it is not in the interests of tho country. Something should be <lone. The only people who can nssisn us • are the Government, and they are the only responsible people tho Imperial Government will take notice of. The cheese factories in tho Wellington district hardly know where they are. The president (Mr. G. W. Leadley) said the freight on grain was ,£0 10s. a ton, whereas before the war it was less than £1. Representations were recently made in the south to secure a reduction in freight on a quantity of milling wheat. All She agents except one were willing to concede a reduction, and finally the higher rate was agreed upon. A freight of £& 10s. on such a commodity was something extraordinary. Mr. G. H. .Toll (Hastings) stated that tho present freight on butter was ss. per box, whereas it wns 2s. Gd. previously. The increase of 100 per cent, wns most unjust.

Mr. Lcadley: On oats it is COO per cent.

Mr. Poison: The dniry farmer is to bo congratulated on the comparatively low freight on butter. On most other things tho increase is over 230 pur cent. Mr. Moss's resolution was seconded by Mr. Macphorson, and carried.