Govt unhappy about freight

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32677, 5 August 1971, Page 3

Govt unhappy about freight

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, August 4. The Government is unhappy about the increase of 12! per cent in freight .rates for New Zealand wool* while Australia’s rates have not increased.

The Minister of .Overseas Trade (Mr Marshall), who met the Wool Freight Council today, said that he was maintaining pressure on its members to try to have the situation remedied. Freight rates for refrigerated cargoes were also discussed in Government circles today. The chairman of the Meat Board (Sir John Ormond), New Zealand’s chief negotiator in the freight rate talks, met the Cabinet Committee on. Overseas Shipping. The chairman of this committee, the Minister of

Transport. (Mr Gordon), described the meeting as an informal and non-decisive exchange of views. The chairman of the Wool Board (Sir John Acland), who met Mr Marshall with members of the Wool Freight Council, said he had informed Mr Marshall of all aspects of the wool freight situation. Possible renegotiation of the rate was discussed. Mr Marshall expressed concern about the “apparent discrimination.” In the past New Zealand freight rates have been lower than Australian rates because of the terms and conditions of shipment.

While there had been some change in the Australian provisions for shipment of wool to make them more comparable with New Zealand conditions, there was no justification for a higher rate for New ' Zealand, Mr Marshall said. Members of the council would not say whether it was possible to renegotiate the rate. This was something for the full council to decide, and a meeting would be held soon. Negotiations on the refrigerated cargo rates are to resume next month, and the Government today sought the Dairy and Meat Boards’ views on the talks. Mr Gordon said he acknowledged the board’s prerogative in negotiating freight rates and the Government had no intention of interfering or taking .part in them.