FREIGHT WAR.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 258, 31 October 1928, Page 9

FREIGHT WAR.

CANADA TO NEW ZEALAND.

TEMPORARY CESSATION.

NORMAL RATES RESUMED.

With the departure from Montreal on Monday of the steamer Canadian Britisher, the Canadian National Steamships have temporarily returned to ordinary rates of freight between Montreal and New Zealand. For the past three months there has been a freight war between the Canadian National Steamships and the New Zealand Shipping Company, and freights have been down to £1 per ton, weight or measurement, at the ship's option.

Whether the freights will return to normal depends on the action of the New Zealand Shipping Company. The latter company has no vessels loading at Montreal during the early part qf next month, so the Canadian Government is taking advantage of the position to dispatch a ship with cargo at profitable rates. If the New Zealand Shipping Company puts another vessel on the loading berth at Montreal at cut rates the Canadian Government will follow suit, and the war will be resumed.

Since last August eight vessels have leaded at cut rates, two for the N.Z. Shipping Co. and six for the Canadian National Steamships. Of the latter, the Canadian Traveller, Canadian Highlander and the chartered steamer Eastpioor are still en route to New Zealand. Tl»e Canadian Traveller and Canadian Highlander are both due here within the next fortnight. Both lines have been losing heavily by the war, as the normal freight ranges from 30/ to £3, and will welcome a return to profitable rates. They consider, however, that the outcome of the contest will sec one or other carrying practically all the trade between Montreal and Auckland.