SHIPPING FREIGHTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 November 1918, Page 8

SHIPPING FREIGHTS.

THE PROPOSED INCREASE. , The following letter lias been sent by the Auckland Chamber of Commerce to the Prime Minister (Hon. W. F. Mas- [ sey): —The proposed increase in freight on certain lines to Great Britain has been brought under the notice of this chamber by the merchants interested. They point out that on the score of necessity owing to increased expenses in running these vessels, this increase in freight cannot in any way be justified, as according to the English papers (see "Fairplay") profits of 40 per cent to 50 per cent would be earned on the running of these boats at the present rates of freight. The following is a comparison of tlhe freights:— Pre-war Late Proposed Rates Hates Rates Goods Per ton. Per ton. Per ton. Hemp 05s 325s 400s Tow 80s 520s 6403 Tallow ... 40s 210s 200s Copra ....■ 40s 2GOs 320s Hides — In casks 40s IOSs 205s In sacks 50s 210s « 200s Per lb. Per lb. Per lb, *Wool gd. m 2Jd. "Commandeered by N.Z. Government. We understand that all steamers are being run at the present time by tho British Government, and that any profit in the running of these, after paying charter at Blue Book rates, belongs to them. We therefore think it is advisable, in the interests of the producers here, that you slliould bring the position fully in front of the Home Government, pointing out how the advance will affect producers. We are informed tho proposed advance only covers goods from New Zealand which have not been commandeered by the Britisli Government We are also' informed by a cab!-grim from Great Britain that no advance in the rate of freight is going to be charged upon goods jrom the Old Country. As the increase cannot be justified on account of any loss in running tiie steamers, and is only to be enforced on certain lines from this colony, it almost looks to those to. whom no explanation can be given this .impression will remain, especially in the minds of those who have been adversely affected by this advance. It is cowwlnred by the merchants here that in the interest of all yon should strongly pretest against what seems to us a most unjustifiable increase.