FREIGHTS AGAIN RAISED.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 30, 4 February 1916, Page 2

FREIGHTS AGAIN RAISED.

fUr — Press Associate )

WKLLfNnTO.V, Thursday.

The shipping companies engaged in the cargo service between New Zealand and Kngland have increased the rates on al! Homeward bound cargo, as from February 2. Wool freight has bern raised by one-eighth of a penny per pound, and that of other classes by about IS per cent. The new rates include war surcharge. The rnt«s {■-- wool are now: Dumped, greasy 11 ' por lb, slipes ljd, washed ljd. eiti the usual id extra for undumped woo;. Despite the increases the New Zealand rates are still lower than from Australia. The passenger rates remain unchanged. It is notable that despite the war the passenger bookings from New Zealand are exceptionally (rood.

MUCH CONXEEJTED

TRIME MINISTER'S COMMENT.

When the contents of the foregoins telegram were brought before the notice of the Prim.- .Minister this morning. Mr Massey expressed much concern at the action of the shipping companies, hut declined to pass any further comment upon the matter, observing that he had had no official intimation of the rise, and would not commit himself to any statement on the bare telegraphic information.