FREIGHT RATES

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 143, 13 March 1939, Page 8

FREIGHT RATES

Contract For Shipment Of Produce

NEGOTIATIONS TO BE HELD SHORTLY Shipping Principals Coming From London Negotiations for the renewal of the freight contract for the shipcent of New Zealand refrigerated produce to the United Kingdom are to take place soon in Wellington. The present three-year contract for butter, cheese, meat and fruit will expire on August 31. Ihe discussions will be attended by representatives of the Government, produce and marketing organizations and the shipping companies. The principals of the four shipping companies concerned are now on their way to the Dominion from London to take part in the negotiations. They lire travelling by the Dominion Monarch, wbicli is due to arrive at Wellington on March -5. It is probable that the negotiations will begin within a few days of their arrival. The economic adviser to the New Zealand Government in London, Mr. R. M. Campbell, who attended the last freight negotiations held in London three years ago, is already in Wellington for- the forthcoming revision of the freight rates. Another representative of the Government from overseas will be the assistant manager in London of the Dairy Sales Division of the Primary Products Marketing Department, Mr. J. AV. Rodden, who is also aboard the Dominion Monarch. The freight rates now ruling were agreed to in 1936, and they represent a 2A per cent, increase on tlie rates for the previous three-year period. Labour costs and landing difficulties in New Zealand are certain to figure prominently in the negotiations, and in these circumstances special importance attaches to the conference held in Wellington last week to consider proposals for an improvement in the handling of cargo on New Zealand waterfronts.