A SHIPPING COMBINE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 15 July 1907, Page 2

A SHIPPING COMBINE.

EXPECTED INCREASE IN COASTAL FREIGHTS. (Special to "News")'. Wellington, July 13. Rumor is busy as to the development of a powerful shipping combine among the owners of the smaller craft in New Zealand, and the expected increase of freights on coastal vessels trading out of Auckland. It is attributed to the New Zea-

land Shipowners' Federation formed last year. This combination was nurtured iu Auckland, but is gradually extending its grip over the rest of the colony. In November last It embraced under its membership a tonnage of over 18,000 tons, and of its seventy-two members sixty-four were Aucklanders and the rest • were sparsely distributed among tlic shipping circles of Wellington, Tauranga, I-lelensviUe, and Melbourne. Since that date it is understood that the field of operations lias been extended, and Lyttelton, Nelson and Duncdin gathered into i the circle. Shortly, it is rumored, an L agent of the association will come down

from Auckland to stiffen the more southern cities up to the Auckland declared uniform freights. Already there is a resident representative appointed in Wellington, if not in other cities ,al»o and it ia held by men in the trade that the rise in feights will soon be general.

' The aims of the combination are justi- ' fled oil the ground that—First, that re--1 cent legislation and live shipping regus lations have tended to greatly increase " the efficiency and cost of the services, and that a corresponding increase in !■ charges on the public is imperative; se--9 condly, that the improved standard Ine sisted on Jatterly has fettered builders

from adding to the fleets of small vessels, or from replacing losses, and thus compelled agents to pay higher sumß for vessels they charter from the gradually dwindling fleets; and, thirdly, that the increased demand for skilled seamen necessitated by the modern exactions of the Marine Department has created such an acute shortage of men that allowance has to be made for time lost in collecting crews. It is pointed out'tliat in New Zealand a hundred-ton vessel, on a three hundred mile run, must carry two officers, while in Australia only one mate is stipulated, and in England none. A cook is forbidden to take a turn at the - wheel, or do any other work of a seaman, even though he may be an A.B. In many other ways it is alleged the exactions have increased the cost of running, and

' ruined the small man. Apparently the ■ shipowners have chosen a good time to ! strike, for on top of the shortage of ' shipping, the "scarcity of men, and the ' enhanced standard demand, there has ' come a great inconvenience of traffic. The 3 hour is ripe for dictating terms, and for f saying, "ff the public demands an imr proved service, we must provide it. But 1 the public must pay." Ten per cent, is ' regarded as the proper increase to add. '■ Although substantial steamship owners 1 are included in the movement, it ape parently does not extend to the Union I S.S. Company, which contemplates no ■ increase at present.

It is reported that the barquentine Rio, loading, at Greymouth for Sydney, is in danger of being detained for want of officers.