SAVING IN FREIGHT CHARGES.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 June 1921, Page 4

SAVING IN FREIGHT CHARGES.

SOME STRIKING FACTS AND FIGURES. In a discussion on the recent controversy between the Wellington and Taranaki Chambers of Commerce as to the comparative charges to Wanganui from the two ports, on certain lines, Mr. G. Fraser mentioned at the annual meeting of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce on Monday evening that one point on which the Wellington president challenged the New Plymouth figures was on the cost of transhipment at Wellington, alleging that the amount (6s per ton) allowed was excessive and that fl's 6d per ton would be sufficient. In justification of the statement published that the Taranaki figures were conservative, Mr. Fraser quoted the actual charges on these lines shipped to New Plymouth via Wellington, for which he produced the accounts for handling at Wellington.

On 12 tons of salt, transhipping, etc., including storage until the first coastal boat connected to New Plymouth, the charge was £5 Bs, or 9s per ton. On a line of 25 cases, measuring 49 feet exWestralia (the shipping company would not issue a bill of lading through to New Plymouth), the charges at Wellington were: Wharfage 5s 4d, storage 4s 4d, cartage 2s Bd, transhipping 5s Gd, harbor improvement rate Is 10d, equal to about 15s Gd per ton. This is in addition to the usual customs agents’ charge for entries, attendances, etc. On another small lino, measuring 90 feet, the charges were: Wharfage 10s 2d, storage 14s Bd, cartage 4s 4d, harbor improvement rate 2 s 3d, transhipping charge 5s Gd, equal to about 16s per ton, and in addition the Customs agents’ charge of 7s 3d was paid for entry, etc. Mr. Fraser stated that he did not contend that in every case the cost would be so high, but quoted these figures to show that in allowing 6s the Chamber were working on a low basis, and in actual practice it would be fouriil that in most instances this rate would not be sufficient to cover the cost. At New Plymouth, the wharf being under railway control, no storage charges are incurred on country cargo, nor is any cartage necessary.