Shipping Allegations Disproved

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30602, 19 November 1964, Page 16

Shipping Allegations Disproved

The recent press debate between Mr W. B. Trotter and the Conference Lines on freight charges must have cost the country thousands of pounds. It involved hundreds of man-hours—Mr Trotter’s, and those of the Conference Lines’ officers, the producer boards’ officers, Federated Farmers’ officers, and the investigating accountant. It was clear to “ The Press ” nearly two months ago that Mr Trotter was mistaken in his belief that the Conference Lines had unfairly based their charges for freight on refrigerated meat cargoes; and that is borne out by the report of Mr W. G. Watts, the New Plymouth public accountant engaged by Federated Farmers to investigate Mr Trotter’s allegations. The time and money spent on dealing with the unfounded charges have not been entirely wasted, however. If it has done nothing else, the controversy must have reassured any members of the farming community whose faith in the ability of the producer boards and their advisers on freight rates had been shaken by Mr Trotter.

Both the producer boards and the Conference Lines can find satisfaction in this vindication of their agreements. Although the original answers to Mr Trotter’s charges should have come promptly from the Meat Board rather than the Overseas Shipowners’ Committee, Mr Watts’s competent and independent investigation will carry more weight With primary producers. It shows that freight charges have been within a few decimal points of the agreed formula in recent years, and that any increase in shipping costs or any of the other variables in the formula must be reflected in increased freight charges.

This is the short answer to Mr Trotter, and to the national president of the Waterside Workers’ Union (Mr E. Isbey). The publication of Mr Watts’s report should clear the air and allow the shipping companies, the producer boards, Federated Farmers, and others to concentrate their attention on the important issues raised in the port streamlining committees’ report.