CHARGES ON WOOL.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 October 1916, Page 3

CHARGES ON WOOL.

SHIPPING COMPANIES' CREED. (From Our Own Correspondent). Wellington, October 11. "The public generally realises the full meaning of the additional charges that are being levied by' the shipping companies for the carriage of wool," said the Dominion Secretary oi the New Zealand -Fanners' 'Union (Mr. K. C. Jaely to-day. "Before the outbreak of war the companies charged .the farmer %d per pound, plus 10 per cent, primage, for the transport of wool to London. The charge to-day is 2'%d, plus 10 per cent, pi'image, for the same class of wool. The primage means practically an extra farthing. ''The increase in the direct charges is enormous, but the companies have not stopped there. They are refusing now to pay wharfage on water-borne wool and other cargo carried by their steamers. J'urther, tliry are limiting the free storage of wool to two weeks. 'Previously they met the cost of storage up to the date of shipment. The position at present is that the eo<t oi getting wool to the London market amounts approximately to 25 per cent, of the tital value of the wool . That makes a very big hole in the increased price, described in some quarters as war profits. The increased cost of production has to be considered as Mother item, Mr. .lack mentioned that the Canterbury Farmers' Union had asked the Dominion body to call a conference to consider the shipping companies' increased charges for the carriage of wool. The suggestion would be considered bv the Dominion Executive at Us meeting next week. The feeling among the farmers on the point undoubtedly was strong.