Shipping Trade.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 264, 16 November 1901, Page 1

Shipping Trade.

DISADVANTAGES IN NEW ZEALAND. By Telegraph—Press Association. Dunedin, last night. The Seamen’s Union dispute came bofore the Conciliation Board to-day. Mr Holdsworth, representing the Union Company, dealt largely with the disadvantages under which local shipowners wore working, compared with those in Australia. Ho said the conditions of the shipping trade of Australia were highly satisfactory, wltilo hero it was on the down grade. Federation must lead to great interchange both of cargo and passongers between the various States to an extent which must benefit the shipping trade of Australia. On the other hand, the shipping trade of this colony would suffer correspondingly. This was recognised on all sides. If we could reconsider our proposals in the light of the Federal tariff, ho thought Now Zealand shipowners would be justified in seeking a reduction of wages rather than offering to renew the rates paid by the last award. In considering the Australian rates of pay, it must not be overlooked that in this colony we are faced with direct competition with largo British and foreign cargo steamers from Sydney and Newcastle, and whoso opposition has the effect of reducing the rates of freight here. Those ships wore run exceedingly cheap in every way, while as regarded wages alone they were run on over TIOOO a year less than New Zoaland steamers of smaller capacity. Tbeso factors greatly handicapped New Zealand steamers.