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Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 54, 22 July 1912, Page 4

THE SUEZ MONOPOLY. The profits of the gigantic Suez monopoly continue to be maintained at a level that shows how little British shipping ,iihl trade interests need to be grateful for the various trilling "concessions" made in respect of dues in recent years, and how easily the directors of the canal can afford the further reduction of ,»d per toil which they propose to make nine months hence. The most recent returns show that the receipts from the canal in mil amounted to .-£5.521,5*28, and exceeded those of the previous year by ,£173,300. The total of the year's expenditure \mis .£1,321i.8.j0, which shows an increase of but little more than £IOOO, though the business of the canal is steadily increasing. Tn the twelve months 4069 vessels, of an aggregate of 18,324,794 tons, paid dues. These figures give an increase of 43(i ships and of 1,742,50G tons, From its profits the company is to pay £3,453.000 in dividends, and add £231,540 to its great reserve funds. Some discussion continues in London, states- a correspondent of the Melbourne Age, as to the extent to which Australian trailic may be drawn away from Suez by the Panama Canal. It is reeogui.-ed that if distance only is to be considered, both the Sue/, and the Cape routes will retain a considerable advantage. Hut. other fuelurs will lie taken into account, such as the possibilities of trade with South and Central American ports, the higher avenge of good weather on the Panama route, and the economy offered by cheap oi! fuel, which will be obtainable from soiirees within easy distance of the canal, it is pointed out, moreover, that any Aii~lrali",n liners diverted to the new routi' will be able to call ;i I Xew land ports for cargo and passengers on both the outward and homeward voyages,