The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 1915. THE FREIGHTAGE QUESTION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 52, 4 March 1915, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 1915. THE FREIGHTAGE QUESTION.

Referring optimistically to general trade conditions in England early in January the Commercial Record says that though trade in several directions continues shackled by war conditions, considerable satisfaction is derived on the whole, as business gradUaly becomes more settled in new channels and thus the reasonable premium paid for a strong navy is vividly brought home to our mercantile classes. If prices in London have advanced smartly of late for most commodities, this must not be taken as 'arising from any scarcity of the article, especially in the case of breadstuffs. The chief factor for a sharp upward move is to be found in exhorbitant rates ruling in the freightage world, the outcome of lacking tonnage. That there is a marked paucity of vessels should occasion no surprise, as our Navy has completely cleared the seas of the enemies mercantile marine fleet and considering l the large dimensions that same grew a few years, its entire obliteration was bound to be felt in the carrying world. Then again, large requisitions of steamers have been imperative on Governmental account so that the commercial community were not in the favoured position of a shipowner being willing to accept any rate in order to place bis tonnage. In the direction of homeward River Plate, the rate for prompt tonnage reached an Alpine height and proved sufficiently attrative for some boats to go to London from Australia in ballast. As affairs progress however an adjustment of the situation may be expected, as there is nothing like tempting prices to bring anything along and one may possibly reap consider-j able consolation from the fact that higher rates to the consumer are accounted lor by dearness of freights than any market! shortage in the world's cupboards.