The Chronicle LEVIN. THURSDAY, JULY 27, 1916. FREIGHT AND DAIRY FARMERS

Horowhenua Chronicle, 27 July 1916, Page 2

The Chronicle LEVIN. THURSDAY, JULY 27, 1916. FREIGHT AND DAIRY FARMERS

-Uairyfarmers have had reason to congratulate themselves upon a greatlyimproved value tor cheese and butter during the last two seasons, but there ul*o has to be recognised the fact- that '"(leased charges for freight and insurance, ns well as other smallor items arising out of tnansit, must be considered as a partial ofiset. Some informatiy.L. remarks in regard to freights :iie set out in the annual report of the National Dairy Association of New Zealand. The report says that the tonnage question has liadl « serious effect ii{ the high rates now ruling for ocean freights. It will be in the recollection of members that soon after the outbreak of war the contract with the Association was practically suspended, immediately the refrigerating space oil the ocean steamers was retuisitioned by the Imperial Government the rate on butter was increased from -s (id per box to :is, and cheese from a halfpenny per pound to three-farth-itijl*. Representations made by the executive in connection with the latter resulted in the rate being reduced to 11-16 th of a penny per pound. There H'ere reasonable grounds for believmg that no Further change would be made during the war period. Howover. early ill the shipping season the Association was notified by the New Zealand Shipowners' Overseas Committee, acting under instructions from the London Tonnage Committee, that butter rates would be advanced to 3s 9d per box. No doubt the English Hoard of Trade were induced to authorise the rise through tTie influence oF the dairy produce shippers in the Commonwealth. The New Zealand rates prior to the last advance being more favourable to shippers f>v Is 6d to Is 9d per cwt. on butter than they were in Australia. Dominion producers wore accordingly forced into line with other producers in the Empire. Tn connection with the Freight advances on dairy produce, which affect producers, there are also other heavy indirect increases on imported goods. AN factory requisites that have to be imported for tile coming season wi'iil be subject to increased charges. and on such lines freight has advanced from 100 to 500 per cent in excess oF normal rates.