LOWER FREIGHTS

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 32, 1 November 1933, Page 8

LOWER FREIGHTS

General Cargo Rates IN OPERATION TO-DAY New Export Schedule BENEFITS TO PRODUCERS The Overseas Shipowners’ Allotment Committee' announce reductions in freight ou the following classes of general cargo:— Wool and sheepskins, reduced to 15-16 d per lb. Sllpe woo], reduced to 1 l-16d per lb. Washed wool, reduced to 1 3-16 d per reduced to 64/- per ton Pelts, reduced to 80/9 per ton weight* w Casings, reduced to S5/6 per ton Hides, reduced to 80/9 per ton weight. Preserved meats, reduced to 4</b per ton measurement. Meat Extract, reduced to 123/6 per ton measurement. All the above rates are plus the usual primage, and subject to the current conditions regarding exchange. These reduced rates come into effect on all shipments made in vessels sailing finally from the Dominion on and after November 1, 1933. The shipowners wisfi to call attention to the fact that in these bad times they have already made reductions on other, classes of cargo totalling £300,000 per annum in the endeavour to assist New Zealand producers, and the oply hope the shipowners have of minimising these sacrifices is by greatly increased trade between the United Kingdom and the Dominion. The lower freight rates announced cover many of the classes of primary produce exported from New Zealand not covered by the contracts for refrigerated cargoes. The New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board and the Dairy Produce Board announced on August 30 that they had concluded a new shipping freight contract London after lengthy negotiations. The pew contract, for a term of thrie years, commencing September 1, 1933, provided for an extra 6 per cent, off the basic rates (that is, the rates obtaining in the 1924-25 season), making total reductions off the basic rates of 21 per cent. The new rates represented 7.05 per cent, oil the previous contract rates, and meant a saving to the producers of approximately £300,000 per season, made up of approximately £lBO,OOO on meat and £124,000 for dairy produce. The Blue Star Line participates in the contract for 10 per cent, of the refrigerated cargo. Provision was also made for the carriage of chilled beef, and the shipping companies agreed to improve the regularity of the services by increasing the number of timetable steamers.