THE SHIPPING WAR.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12503, 26 May 1906, Page 6

THE SHIPPING WAR.

FRESH DEVELOPMENTS. (SPECIAL TO " THK PHl!fl9 ") WELLINGTON, May 25. A new development has taken placein the shipping war. Tho Sliaw. SaviH and 1 Albion Co., which includes the White Star line, and the New Zealand Shipping Co.. have decided to flay the Foderal-Houlder-Shire comination at their own game. Tha companies mentioned, it ie definitely announced, havo decided on reduced rates for second end third-class , fares during the winter months'. I havo ascertained unofficially that the fares are:— Second-cliare (two-berth cabin), New Zealand ta London £25, (four-berth cabin} £20 9s; steerage or third c'ass (two-berth cabin) £IG, (four-berth cabin) £14. (open steerage) £12. No alteration in freights is announced, but t'he companies mentioned are said to be running ar low at prwsible. It is not contemplated at present to make any alteration in the faro to first saloon passengers, as tho Federal boats wilt not seoonely compete with the others in this class. PassenjjeTs by the Shaw, SavLli and Albion Company's boati and the New Zealand Shipping Company's steamers, for this season of tho year, show an adranos on the numbers for th? same period fast year, and th? lonio. which left this morning, had a very fair paese-nger list. The London "Standard" of April 12th pays : —"With reference to a telegram from Chriatchurch stating that a rate war had been commenced between the Boulder Line and tho New Zealand and tho Shaw, Savill and Albion' Shipping Companies, we are informed by Mf'sro Houldor that there ie no truth in Hie fitate-rr.cnt. Neither of the lines mentioned has any knowledge of such a rate Avar, and cable communication with their agents in New Zealand fails to throw any ilight upon the statement."