Increased Freight Charges

Horowhenua Chronicle, 8 April 1915, Page 3

Increased Freight Charges

* | , nU'.U -i I . .. . I ei.euiar icuci' rut-en w oy .>n' A. i Sim.-,, oi .Levin, li'jiii . .1. opa»iun :;uu | Co., JuOiiuoiij aiiU uaiou i'obruary. | givvs some mtoresuiig uuiails ooucoruj uig ucigui cluiicuiuos ciicotuacioa by siilppelo ol goods iur -\cu' Zealand, Alie note mils: —"Aone ol uio L.on<ioii maii steameis lias ueeu despatched even to Ueu- wav-ainoiuicd scheuuloil <suiios but have been kept back day alter day ill liio hopes that more cargo would be tendered them, such being in sight but hung up by the Custous regulations. Wliat with the port authorities declining to accept traffic that the railway companies had been instructed by tlioiu to let conic forward, sectioual | strikes of labourers and stevedores, bad weather and numerous other influences, shippers' difficulties have been increased from day to day. The whole shipping position is likely to be worse than ever in the immediate future unless some relief can bo given from the present troubles more particularly descanted upon in our issue, for matters in tho London and especially in the West coast trades are very grave indeed. From London, there is no telling what steamer may leave after the "Mamari," which will be postponed from March 4th to 18th, and will go to Wellington, Lyt-telton and Dunedin, as the "Rimutaka," intended to follow her a fortnight later (also as a combined boat, for Auckland. Wellington and L.vttelton) has put into Dakar afire whilst homeward bound, and cannot possibly take this berth, so this may fall to the lot of the "Paparoa." which lias for some while been running in the Queensland trade. Then again Ty.ser's "Indrabarah." intended for despatch about March 20th, for Auckland. Wellington and Ha-wkes Bay. may be requisitioned by the Government, for as fast as the boats come home the authorities commandeer them. Upon the West coast a more serious state of affairs is disclosed than has ever been the ease for although it is true the "Knmara" loaded at Liverpool onjy and left there on January 13th. yet from the other ports there has been no despatch since the r< Halhunshire" left Bristol on November 21st, Glasgow December 2nd, Manchester December 9th, and Liverpool December Kith, 191-1. It was originally intended that the "Morayshire" should follow, hutshe was taken away from her owners by the Government. Then the "Nairnshire" was fixed, only, however, to go afire at Havre, and upon arrival back in England was found to be so badly damaged thatt: she cannot Pa;il for months. Subsequently the "Surrey" was talked of, but our Government insisted that she be loaned to the French Government for the transport of meat so that at last the "-Opawa'- 1 was expected to be pressed into the service although we just hear iL is possible that shippers will not be allowed to ha vie her, and that the "powers that be'" may insist upon her being sent- out in ballast. What makes it particularly galling is that a fixture is long overdue and that when actually loading she will be the last boat at the jkl rates ot Ireight. There are already many thousands ol tons ottering lur the first steamer at the new rates, which are an advance oi os per ten weighty and -measurement on all goods except tho following: L'halk, Gypsum, Plaster ol Paris, Rooting Slate, Whiting, Corrugated Papers in rolls and bales. Mill boards in bales. Paper in rolls and bales for newspajier printing only, Shooks and Staves, Straw .Boards in bales, Corrugated Asbestos Roofing, Asbestos Cement Slates and sheets. Asbestos Slates and Sheets, Salt. Cement, and Empty Bottles. The rise takes effect as from February Ist last by all steamers from Lon- ( don. As to Liverpool, see preceding paragraph. Even charting steamers is almost- out ot the question when something like 75s per ton deadweight is being asked for the New Zealand voyage from this side. This seems almost incredible, but it is a statement of absolute fact as is also the statement that 17s 6d per ton is being paid for coals from tho Tync to London—against the rate; of 2s 9d to 3s per ton during the war.