SHIPPING FREIGHTS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 29, 29 October 1918, Page 8

SHIPPING FREIGHTS

■ THE PROPOSED INCREASE. ' ■The.'following letter' has been .'sent by , the Auckland Chamber of Coinmerco to the Prime Minister (Hon. W. I l '. Hassey):—The proposed increase in freight on certain lines to Great Britain has been brought under the notice of this 'chamber by the merchants interested. ' They point out that on the scor,o of necessity owing to increased expenses in running these vessels, this increase in freight cannot in'any wft- be. justified, as accord-' ing to the English' papers (see. ".Fair-' play") profits.of 40 per cent, to'-'SO per: cent, would be earned on the running of these beats at the present rates of freight. The following is a comparison ■of the ■freights.— . ■ ;.

: by N.Z. Government. We .understand'that all steamers are being run )it the present time by the British Government, and that any profit in the. running, of these, after paying charter tit Bliie .Book rates, belongs to them. _, We therefore think it is ndvis-, able, in , the interests of the producers here, that you should bring the position' fully in front of the Home Gorernment, pointing'out how the advance will aft'ect producers. AVc are informed the proposed advance only covers goods , from New' Zealand which have not been commandeered by the British Government. •We are also informed by a cablegram from, Great Britain that no advance.u'n , the -rate of freight is ,»oing to be charged won goods from the Old Country, is the increase cannot be justified on account of any. loss in running the steanv ers, and is only to be enforced on certain lines from this, colony, it almost looks lo those to whom no explanation has been, given as mi attempt at profiteering on the part of the British Government, and unless some "satisfactory explanation can be given this impression will remain, especially in the minds .of those who have been adversely affected by this ndyance. It is considered by the merchants here that in the interest of all .you should strongly protest against what seems to us a inost unjustifiable increase. ■'.■■■

! • ' 'Pre-war Lnto : Proposed '. .'... Kates.- Kates. , : . Rates. ' Goods', ■ Per ton. ' Per ton. Per tonrHemp 65/- . 525/- 100/- , Tow 80/- 520/- 640/- ' • Tallow 40/- ' 210/- . 260/- ■ Copra., 40/- 260/- ' 320/Hicles- : r - Iu casks '•«/. 165/- .205/In sacks 50/- 210/- 260/Pcrlb. Perlb. Perlb. *Wo.ol .....; l&. , 2}(1. 2}d.