SUBSIDISED FREIGHTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 127, 29 May 1913, Page 11

SUBSIDISED FREIGHTS.

yrpv. i- , a RKJJ CE KHXI<IFrEI>. AMERICA'S WOOL TARIFF. gjy Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHUIiCH, this day. In his quarterly address to the Uhamjj er of Commerce to-da}-, Mr. R. Hid Fisher, the president, dealt with the question of the subsidies given on freights by European Governments. "It js a matter of vital importance," he said, "and I am pleased to be able to give you the following facto regarding iwo shipments to a firm in this city. A shipment of goods was sent from Hamburg to Lyttelton, via London, on through bills of lading, at the rate of 42/6 per toll measurement. These goods ]eft Hamburg by the s.s. Corncrake for reshipment a-t lx>ndon into the s.s. Ruapehu, the fhip paying whatever charges occurred in London in connection with the dock or loading. By the same voyage of thp s.s. Ruapehu the firm received other goods on it had to pay port dues, coming under the same class as th« goods from Germany, but the raters on the direct shipment from London v.-as 67/6 per ton measurement. Thus the rate from London to Xew Zealand is nearly 60 per cent nioro than the .rat* from* Hamburg to Xew Zealand, via Londoc It appears to mc that it is of little use onr <iovernment placing goods under a preferential tariff if the advantage to be derived therefrom is lost to new Zealand and to to« British manufacturer." j

Turning to the subject of wool. Mr. BUI Kisher said: — " Mr. Kaye. in liis presidential address in 1SS!), drew attention to the growing value of our -wool trade with America. Ever since we in Xew Zealand have been hoping that tlie American tariff ■would be revised. Now, Twenty-four years later, there seems every prospect that at least the present rate of duty will he reduced. As 1 understand, the present position of the bill, it has passed th-e Lower House with wool on the free list, but that in the Upper House there will be opposition from American woo!-provrers which may lead to a compromise. In any case, it seems reasonably certain that the present heavy duty will be lowered, which ■wonld mean a higher market for some of our "wool, and the competition arising therefrom will probably disturb the general standard of prices, and result in higher prices al! round. At the same time, it is as well to remember that hitherto, with a duty of 5Ad. per ib.. American buyers have confined their attention to.theridass with the least foreign matter in. but if the duty is abolished, or even reduced, buyers from the States will be competitors far the other classes and less keen bidders for the chtss ■which has hitherto monopolised their attention. Thus, the best- wools may fall in price, a.nd the other classes rise in value, and the net result to the Dominion tvill he but small compared to some of the optimistic forecasts which bave been given. lam quite aware that I am not siding witn the popular view of the question, but after studying a series of interviews with Bradford millowners and other information which I have ha-d before mc. I am driven to thp opinion that whilst the change in the 'ionerican tariff will be to onr advantage. jet it wil! not add so largely to th« total vahje of NVw Zealand exports as some l&tements lea<3 one to hope."