HIGH FREIGHTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 August 1922, Page 4

HIGH FREIGHTS.

BURDEN ON THE PRODUCERS, INCREASE FOR NEW ZEALAN'? COMPARISON WITH ARGENTINE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. “My attention has been drawn to an article in the Press, stated to be from authoritative shipping quarters,” Raid Mr. Massey to-day, “which purports to correct my statement in the House when I compared the percentage increase over the pre-war rates of freight from New Zealand to the United Kingdom with the percentage increase over the pre-war rates of freight from the Argentine to the United Kingdom. I can quite believe that ships in the River Plate trade are guaranteed full cargoes of refrigerated produce', and I am quite well aware that ships have to load and discharge at more porta in the New Zealand trade than in the Argentine trade, but my information from London is to the effect that these and other conditions favorable to River Plate ship* prevailed in pre-war days ns well as to* day. Therefore, my comparison stands* My comparison was that the rate of increase over the pre-war rates was ae follows: N.Z.- ArgentlneU.K. U.K.! Mutton • 151 75 Lamb 148 7f. Frozen sundries 182 to 258 40 Canned meats.. 112% 40 Tallow 200 17 “I affirm that Such increased chargefl are unreasonable and have the effect of penalising New Zealand producers td the advantage of their foreign competitors. In regard to the point that ships in the River Plate trade are guaranteed full cargoes, the conditions in New Zealand have been such that it has for years been unknown for a Home liner to leave New Zealand without her refrigerated space being full to the hatches, unless for some special reason and to suit the convenience of the shipping companies. The rate of freight on Egyptian cotton was given to me by a cable from London, and I believe it to be quite correct, as an instance of the low rates at which cargoes are being carried at the other side of the world.

“In regard to the deputation to me from the recent Farmers’ Union conference. which reaffirmed their policy of a shipping line to be owned by the producers, I wish to make it clear that the deputation made a special point that Government financial assistance was not asked for. The deputation asked for legislative action to enable farmers to rate themselves for this purpose, and this request has to come before Cabinet.”