SHIPPING REBATES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 200, 18 May 1908, Page 7

SHIPPING REBATES.

ALLEGED - RING TACTICS. ENCOURACINC FOREICN TRADE. COMPETITION STRANGLED. BY' TELEGRAM —PBESS ASSOCIATION —COPYMOHT Sydney, May 16. Speaking at a reception accordcd/to him, Mr. Morgan ; tho Commissioner of tho Manufacturers' Association, who is visiting tho Commonwealth; to inquire into the stateof trade, attributed ,the drift of trade into a foreign channcl largely to tho existence of a flipping! ring, which included all tho regular steamship companies - doing business, between Australia and Britain. This ring, Mr. Morgan declared, had hold of tho whole of. Australia, and it was absolutely impossible for any other' shipping company to onter tlio' trade, or'to promote healthy competition. ■ Tho whole' trade was tied up by the ring system of deferred rebates. MR. MORGAN'S MISSION. f Mr. Ben H. Morgan ought to know something of-the subject ho is discussing. As the envoy of tho Manufacturers' Association of Groat Britain, ho hasuilready reported on tho trade of South Africa" in mnch the same way as ho is investigating His present mission is specially undertaken in view, of.-tariff Alterations in Morgan has been authorised to report, on Uio extent and possibilities'of the market with a. view (a) to increase export trade; (b) to establish branch factories behind the tariffs.- He is also to report on the "extent and condition of local industries; the nature and extent of foreign competition;' 'transport' services, • .with s'pocial reference to .shipping "rings" and "conferences"; the operation of local tariffs, and probable effects.* of; preferences. It is understood that Mr. Morgan will also make representations direct to the Australian Government with a .yiow,.|to.,seonring further reductions on various items of the tariff and increased preferences in favour of British manufacturers before tho. Bill receives tho approval of the Senate, and lie will :ilso 1 discuss with" representatives of/ the various Governments a number of questions', such as methods of assessing and collecting Customs duties, tho fiscal treatment of catalogues, of British- manufactures, the extent of encouragement that will be given to . British manufacturers establish-ing-branch factories,ffand-'manyrother matters a clear understanding'- of .'whichl wilt greatly facilitate trado within the Empire.