THE PORT OF LONDON.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2018, 27 March 1914, Page 9

THE PORT OF LONDON.

Sir,—A "long letter from Mr. W. D. Lysnar, headed ■'London versus Bristol," appeared in one of your recent issues,, but as about 90 per cent, is a repetition, of- former statements which I have, already contradicted, arid 5 per cent, irrelevant, I do jibt propose to trespass much on your valuable space in dealing with the remaining 5 per cent.,-. •

Mr. Lysnar's statement in regard to tho Argentine people having tho' use of the, whole of the Royal Albert and Victoria Dock, with its nine miles of quays, is;roally too silly to dwell upon. The Argentine people have one berth of 600 feet'-at the outside, while the Bteamcrs in tho- New Zealand trade already, occupy about 2000 feet.

In regard to the elevators and endless band conveyers, which are used for the discharge of New Zealand meat, Mr. Lysnar at first denied the existence of these facilities at the Royal Victoria Dook, but now admits they, are in use. Which statement does he wish Now Zealand to- believe ?

Respecting the figures for getting meat to the Smithfield Market through London and Bristol not being analagous, I havo given the corresponding figures through the ports, both for direct delivery ex ship and including storing. What I presume is not to Mr. Lysnar's liking is the great advantage which the official figures-show in favour of London.

Mr. Lysnar refers to a wager about these figures. I may just Bay lam not in the. habit of making wages over business transactions, and even my acquaintance with Mr. Lysnar does not tempt me to alter my practice. It is now inferred that rebates are given off the storage charges on meat m London, thus putting the big man in a better position than the 'smaller man. This is absolutely incorrect. The storage.charges on meat in London are now on. a .flat, basis, and no rebates' are given. If there is any question of a differential rate (which I doubt) which is.troubling British Columbia, it has 110 reference to produce from New Zealand. There is, however, a differential rate on meat at Bristol.. _ Mr. Lysnar now admits thai his glaring statement in regard to the 'difference in the cost of. insurance to London and Bristol"- is""iricorreofcr"VJf Mr Lysnar knew the .actual "figures in the rPI p,a ,?! J dl ' d ie'not qiiotc them? Uhe did not know-the figures, why. waste everybody's time? .r'v- ... Both in my addresses to the public, and m letters to the Press, I have endeavoured to put the true position about London before the producers and shippers of New Zealand, and must now leave them to judge. To enter into any further controversy with " a man who is ever drawing a red herring across the path is simply wasting time. —I am, etc., . V ■. , J. tf.ESTILI fimaru, March 23. 1914.