OCEAN FREIGHTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1783, 14 June 1906, Page 3

OCEAN FREIGHTS.

DISCUSSION AT FARMERS’ UNION EXECUTIVE.

A very animated discussion on tho subjeot of ocean freights took plaoo at tho Exooulivo mooting of tho Poverty Bay Farmers’ Union yostorday. Tho matter was introduced by a lottor from the Gisborne brnnoh asking for a considerable amount of printing to bo done, and above all for 750 circulars in regard to tho subject mentioned, Mr Lysnat said that it was no doubt a very big order, but it was only tho rosull of a promise made at tho conference that whatover was asked for would bo printed. Tho subßtanoo of Mr Ljsnar’s argument

wna that the farmers oould by supporting r the Fodoral Steamship Line obtain a great saving in freights amounting in his own oaro to between £SOO and £6OO por year. At considerable length ho songht to prove to the other members of tho Executive that suoh was tho oase. Tho P.esidont: Have yon had any experience In regard to shipping wool by tho new oompany ? If you have, let us know so that wo may sec how wo are going, t Mr Lysnar: Yes. I oan give you all tho wool oharges from Australia and New Zealand, but I do not intend to introduce any personal element. Mr Clayton : But why not give ns something practical ? I understand you have yourself shipped by the now lino, and wbero is your ovidonoe 7 Mr Lysnar! I have not yet got my freight charges, but when they ootno to hand you shall have them. There is a groat saving to bo made in freights, and the same form of bill of lading is used. Mr Clayton : I move that Mr Lysoar’s request be granted, provided we also print the other sldo of tho oaso. It iB only fair before tbe farmers take any hostile steps towards the present companies that the position should be clearly defined. Continuing, Mr Clayton mentioned letters from Mr Harknoss, appearing in the Farmers’ Advooate, and artiolos from Christchurch Truth and other papers, Which ho contended set forth the other side. These articles oould be seen by Mr I Lysnar, and the arguments therein set out | had not been replied to. The President said ho was as anxious as anybody to have the freights reduced, but he wanted to go about it in tho right way. He did not consider that Mr Lysnar hod made his case good. There was a difference between the Australian and New Zealand trades wbioh was hardly approoiated by Mr Lysnar. Mr Wallis said that the question was wbat the companies could get from New Zealand. If they were guaranteed a full freight they would no doubt reduce the rate. He thought the Executive should have a little more information before tsk*'!ng aotion. Mr Lysnar expressed surprise to hear members of the Executive talk in the manner they did. New Zealand was, he said, entitled to Australian rafei of freight, and, what was more, they were going to get them. Mr Clayton : I certainly hope so. _ Mr Lysnar : We are goiDg to get it. Mr Chambers : That is very good news. Mr Lysnar, proceeding, contended that the agitation wbioh had been carried on, had resulted iu the freight on butter being substantially reduced, and there had also been a reduction of 1 16 on meat. Mr Chambers ; Excuse me, has that been brought about by the agitation in New Zealand or by competition ? Mr,Lysnar ! It has been brought about by the Federal Line coming in. The lob 3 to this colony each year is very great indeed. Continuing, Mr Lysnar said that he pro* posed to move no resolution on tbe question, sis ho felt that he was in the minority. He was not going to have the work of the Gisborne branoh frustrated. He contended that the farmers had not the right to fight tho cause of the shipowners. The only Bide that oonoorned them was their owd, and that vras to seek to obtain B reduction in freights. 'The articles mentioned by Mr Clayton he looked upon as mere trash. / Mr Clayton: Why trash 7 Mr Lysnarßring it to me, ana I will soon show you why it is trash. • Mr Olaytoh ; It is just as ,good English as yourß. I will brlDg it to you, and you Will see what it is. Thi# is always the attitude that you assume. What you soy is tbe truth, and everyone pise is wroog. Passing on Mr Lysnar stated that he had reoeived a letter from Mr Harkness, in which that gentleman had promised to "fook more oarefully into the matter. Mr Clayton I That is a very safe thing . to say. You have not replied to his Arguments. Anyone will tell yon that. Mr Lysnar pointed out that cne of the arccnneota used by bis opponents was that produoe should do! be sent by the Federal line beoausait oarried cargoes from the Argentine. This he considered a very weak contention. Ia regard to the distanoe travelled between the Australian ports, tbe captain of the Dorset had informed him that that vessel visited all the cb'pf Anstcalian ports. The latter statement Was refuted by the President and Mr Wallis, and a heated ■rgnmpnt in regard thereto followed. Mr Chambers: It was only tbe other day I was readiDg in tbe Australasian that no vessel carrying produce visited moie than two ports. Your remarkable statement has already travelled over there. Mr LysOar: You must not believe what you read in the papers. Mr Chambers: Oh. Mr Lysnar : You have lived long enough to know that you should not believe what you soe in a paper, (Laughter.) Continuing, Mr Lysnar said he was not prepared to move a resolution. He would leave this to any other member of the Exeoutive. . The Preeident: As far bb Mr Lysnar has gone, he looks upon ns as a hostile body. I for one am as keen on a reduction of freights as anyone oan be, but I Bhall not be one to make a fool of myself by sending out anything we cannot substantiate, We are not opponents to Mr Lysnar, but only desire to have things done in a sensible WB Mr Oloyfo n heartily endorsed the remarks of the President. He thought Mr Lvsnar’s utterances were of too sanguine a nature, aud that he too often jumped at conclusions. Mr Kent said they Bhould have both aideia laid before the Exeoutive, and then they oould dre’do as to tbe course to adopt. It would be better to delay until tho necessary information coil'd bo obPresident suggoated that the letter Bhould be Bent baok to the Gisborne branoh, and that they bo asked for full details. They required tho stalements confirmed by documentary evidenco. At the last meeting of tho Gisborne Sheepfarmers! directorate a lpngtby discussion had taken plaoe in regard to the queation of freights, and it was agreed to write to Mr Cox, the manager for tho Federal line, aekiDg him to disouss the queation of freights with the oompany, He (Mr Chambers) asked Mr Lysnar if any reply had been reoeiyed to this letter. Mr Lysnar: Yes, Mr Cox replied, stating that he had no, time to visit Gisborne, Mr phambers! We told Mr Cox thal wo were prepared at any time to disouss tbe question with him. Yon must see that this sort of thing mekes one very dabious about acoeptiDg anything without full inquiry. . ' Mr Clayton: Everyone sympathises with your branch in this matter. Mr Lysnar: This meanß tome between £SOO and £6OO a year. Whatever position this Exeoutive takes up it. will not deter me from battling for the rednotion. Mr Clayton : We know that. The more you Bgitate the belter. We do not, however, wish to mako fools of ourselves ; but , wo do not mind you doiog so. 4 Mr Lysnar continued that if the Federal line brought about a reduction in the cates the farmers as a body should stand by them. Mr Chambers said that under tbe bond . tbo other companies tboy could o l s im • rednotion to the same rate paid by the Federal line. At the expiration of tho bond the farmers would no doubt support the line which was the means of first bringing about the reduced rale. V {»-. Mr Lysnar: lam glad to hear you say •that. lam satisfied that Chambers’ stufi l will have to go by the Federal line. .After further discussion the Exeoutive idopied tv resolution drawing the attention |f farmers to the necessity of supporting

such lines as roducod freights; also, that lengthy freight contracts should bo dis» couraged. It was agrood to ask tho Colonial Exacutivo to have tho resolution circulated throughout tho colony. Tho Exooulivo asked Mr Lysnar to furnish all information in regard to tho subject, as well as tho souroes from whonoe derived.