SHIPPING FREIGHTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2585, 26 May 1923, Page 3

SHIPPING FREIGHTS.

REPLY TO REQUEST FOR UNIFORM RATE. BY MANAWATU SHIPPING CO. At Thursday night’s meeting of the local Chamber of Commerce the following letter was received in reply to a. request from the Chamber for a uniform freight on all cargo from Wellington to Foxton, as Foxton importers were charged a higher rate on freights than importers in outside districts: — “We cannot altord to lower our freight rates to Foxton, ns there is very little reduction in .the cost of running vessels as compared with the cost during the war.

“The cost of coal is more than double pre-war, and there has been a very slight reduction in wages, and the cost of all material for ship’s use and labour is still very high, Foxton is not penalised on account of its geographical position, as the freights to Foxton are comparatively low when the navigation of the Port is considered as against such ports as Wanganui, Pa tea, New Plymouth, Blenheim, Nelson, or we might say all ports in New Zealand. Though the rate of freights is lower than Foxton, for cargo to Palmerston North and places outside of Foxton, it must he remembered that the Palmerston North consignees have to pay railage from Foxton to Palmerston North which makes their freight and railway carriage combined more than the cost of freight from W ellington to Foxton. Also, if the steamer was to depend on the cargo given it by the Foxton consignees, it would not pay to run, so we have to depend on getting support from outside places, Palmerston North being our main supporl, and the only reason the cargo for this place and places beyond Foxton is carried lower, is that we have 1o compete with the Railways, and unless a reduction was made we would get no cargo.

“Exactly the same thing applies in the Wellington-Blenheim trade of the Union Steam Ship Co. The rale ~f Height lo Blenheim is a combination of the rate of freight to Picton and the railage from Picton to Blenheim, making the rate of freight from 'Wellington to Picton for places beyond Piet mi a much lower rate than the rate of freight from Wellington to Picton. We cannot sec our way to lower our rates as the Foxton Chamber of Commerce suggests. As it is our rate from Wellington to Foxton (except as_ regards E. rate railway classification) U a good deal cheaper than the rail and this should prove a boon to Foxton consignees.

“The fortnightly service of the “Kennedy" from Lyttelton to Foxton at a low rate of freight has brought down the price of Hour and other commodities some 5/- per ton, and this should he recognised hv Foxton consignees, and Ihis alone should be an inducement for the steamer to be supported in her Wel-lington-Foxtoii trade a good deal more than she is at present. On several occasions if it bad not been for the back load of homo and tow. it would not have paid ns to run the vessel to Foxton.” Mr Smith moved, seconded by Mr Admore: “That the manager be thanked for his very courteous reply hut that the Chamber is still of opinion that the difference between rates charged for Foxton cargo and that for outside districts should he eliminated, lmt ns this seems impossible at the present time, then as an alternative in fairness to foxton consignee, a reduction should be made which would no doubt induce further shipping from local business men Ihrough the port. After some discussion the motion was carried.