FREIGHT WAR ENDS

Hokitika Guardian, 26 October 1928, Page 2

FREIGHT WAR ENDS

NEW ZEALAND TO CANADA

AUCKLAND, Oct. 23

The freight war between the New Zealand Shipping Company and Canadian National Steamships is understood; to be at an end. The war. has lasted three months, and during that time eight steamers were dispatched .from Montreal to New Zealand, laden %Vith general merchandise carried at the flat rate of £1 a ton. Both companies claim the right to run an individual cargo service between the two countries*.

The New Zealand Shipping Company’s cl a ini is due to the fact that it has run* an irregular service t over 20 years. Officials of Canadian National Steamships state that their line has run a regular monthly service for six •years, and that the service is quite .•.sufficient for the cargo offering. The freight war started in August, when the New Zealand. Shipping Company arranged to dispatch the chartered steamer, Baron Indiape, from Montreal to New Zealand, with cargo at the flat rate of £1 a ton, instead of the usual charge 'of Jboiit 30s to £5 a ton, according to the particular class ’"of merchandise. The company also arranged for the -chartered steamer, Wirral, to take the September loading. The Baron Inchcape reached Auckland on October 7,th, and the Wirral is due 'about November lltli. Canadian National Steamships retaliated first by reducing the freight charge to the same level, and then arranged for four extra steamers to be dispatched for New Zealand, all with cargo at the reduced rate. The Canadian Conqueror was put on for the August loading, and the Canadian Highlander for the September loading. Extra steamers were the Canadian, Winner, Canadian Explorer, Canadian Traveller, and the chartered steamer Eastmoor. The Canadian Conqueror, Canadian Winner and Canadian Explorer have ..already reached New Zealand, and the Canadian Traveller, Canadian Highlander, and Eastmoor are en route from Montreal. Two other Canadian National steamers arc scheduled to leave Montreal for New Zealand, the Canadian Britisher on October 25th, and the Canadian Transporter on November 21st. The New Zealand Shipping Company has not arranged for a steamer to load at Montreal this month, consequently the cargo of the Canadian Britisher and Canadian Transporter is to be carried at normal rates. Whether the (New Zealand Shipping Company will again compete with its rival is not certain, but of ficials of the Canadian line state that they .are determined to continue the reduced rates if the New Zealand Shipping Company does so.