SHIPPING FREIGHTS

Hokitika Guardian, 18 January 1929, Page 1

SHIPPING FREIGHTS

C o A PLEASANT SURPRISE. 11 s (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). " LONDON. January IB: (; Shippers 'to Australia received a 1 pleasant surprise this morning when they learnt that the increase on F freights was deferred. The shipowners L arrived at the decision last night, hut C maintained extreme secrecy in order to allow Mr Bruce the satisfaction of ;• announcing the good news and it was 11 only this morning that brokers’ clerks a received instructions to work on the old schedule rates/ Almost simultaneously arrived a press cablegram . Irom Sydney announcing the news and the proposed conference. Shippers cordially welcome the deferment and reciprocate Mr Bruce’s hope that the way may be 'found to ( render an increase unnecessary. .Meanwhile the most disappointed people arc a number of Lancashire shippers. They have been hustling frantically » ever since the increase was announced ’ to get parcels of fine goods aboard the 1 steamer Banffshire, leaving Manchester u to-morrow, two days before the increase should have commenced. Australian Merchants Committee j had a conference,, the tone of which ; was optimistic, some expressing the i opinion there would he no increases but . rather reductions. j