SEA FREIGHT TARIFF.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 14, 19 April 1916, Page 2

SEA FREIGHT TARIFF.

INCREASE OF 2S 6d PER TON. Tee PEISS3 Association, Dunedin, April 10. As lias been anticipated for some time, a revision of the freight tariff will be announced shortly. It.is understood that the Union Co., Huddart Parker and practically all the smaller local companies will raise fho shipping rates by 2s fid per ton on the coast, and that iuter-Colonial freights will be made uniform by the Union Company increasing the rate bv fis per ton. I assenger fares will not be affected, and will remain at the pre-war rates. The. increase is due to the aggregation of abnormal ‘circumstances during the past twenty months, in which the outstanding feature has been the steady increase in working the cost of R h’p ping. The wages of every branch of shipring afloat and ashore have been .increased substantially, while since the war commenced heavy increased charges for bunker coal, marine engine, and victualling stores, war risk premiums, and harbor and light dues, have been imposed probably through direct or indirect influences of the war. The -Dominion shipping companies have been called upon to meet additional expenditure of close mi half, a million sterling annually.' In view oi the phenomenal conditions and charges obtaining in other countries, New Zealand is still in a fortunate position.