EXPORTS TO EUROPE

Press, Volume C, Issue 29588, 10 August 1961, Page 15

EXPORTS TO EUROPE

Dutch Lines Plans “It is just a lot of nonsense to say that freight charges will, increase when Dutch lines go into competition with the present lines," said Mr B. E. Ruys, a director of the Royal Rotterdam Line, in an interview yesterday. Mr Ruys is in New Zealand to make final arrangements for shipping New Zealand exports to Europe in a service which will begin within the next two months. Mr Ruys suggested that the Claim of New Zealand shipping agents that prices would • .increase was “sour grapes.” “It is my experience that costs have decreased ' whenever- a new line enters into competition with the existing ones.” he said. “This is what we expect will happen now, although a price decrease depends on the type of cargo carried and the reaction of the New Zealand lines to competition." The Dortch lines have been bringing general cargo to New Zealand since March “New Zealand importers welcomed the opportunity of another line to carry imports. That is why we started," said Mi- Ruys. “Wool for Germany, Holland and Belgium was shipped to London where a bottle-neck delays distribution.” he said. “Now in response to complaints from European wool buyers that wool was taking too long to reach Europe after it was bought, we have agreed to carry it, and possibly other goods, direct to Europe.”