SHIPPING DISPUTES

Hokitika Guardian, 12 April 1926, Page 3

SHIPPING DISPUTES

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Assignation.} OWNERS ATTITUDE. SYDNEY, April 10. A statement regarding the owners attitude in connection with the threat ol the Federated Engine Drivers and Firemen's Association to. strike in view of the alleged reduction of wages under flic recent award of the Coal Tribunal says no such reduction was made and there eontinues on the contrary, material advances and concessions in the conditions, and shorter hours from forty-six to forty-lhrcc have been awarded. DROP IN FREIGHT. SYDNEY. April 10. Shipowners and shipping agents interested in overseas trade are preparing to face during the next few months, the worst, situation oxjhtenced in the export shipping irndo since before the war. Rates of freight' are being cut by tramp vessels, and there is a pronounced dearth of exports for the liners tonnage. The wheat freight market has virtually been cut to pieces by tramp vessels. AA'ithio the last few days, an engagement. has been made for vessels to load a lull cargo of wheat at Sydney for the United Kingdom at 24s per lon, which is the lowest rate accepted since long before the war. Wheat panel rales have, also suffered and are now reduced to 20s per ton for the United Kingdom, which is Lin- lowest on teoord since the 11)07-08 season. One sign of the desperate competition which prevailed between overseas liners lor any homeward cargo is free storage, which hotter exporters are able to secure at the expense of the shipowner, who is prepared to hook lull ter and accept, delivery Indore the steamer discharges its outward cargo. Tho I.niter exporter lias the satisfaction of seeing his butter stored in a ship’s insulating space while she goes to other ports discharging and loading. In many instances, a month’s lice storage is secured.