FREIGHT ON MEAT

Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 50, 28 February 1921, Page 3

FREIGHT ON MEAT

QUESTION 01? ADJUSTMENT OP BATES. (IX ItlHUn.-fIIII AHKMTISM.) AUCKLAND, 27th February. Wit*, reference to representations by the Prime Minister urging the Imperial authorities to. reduce freight on meat, Mr. Massey has' received the following cablegram from the High Commissioner: j "Ministry of Food agreed to pay shipowners here money at the rate of 144sper 40 cubic feet insulated space, charging the shippers of free meat poundage rates equivalent thereto, plus 5 per cent, to cover the cost of administration, and of dead freight. The poundage rates referred to in my telegram of sth January were worked by steamship lines here. The calculation of the Wellington Committee showed a material increase, and investigation of the latter's figures, in the light of actual shipments, confirmed the views of the Wellington Committee. The following poundage rates will therefore operate on steamers- for March and April' loading : Beef, 1 15-16 d; mutton, 2£d; lamb, 2 5-16 d, all net. The Ministry regrets that it becomes necessary to raise the rates after the new season's shipments- have commenced, but in order to avoid hardships where commitments have been entered into, the Wellington Committee has been instructed to ask ■the freezing companies to telegraph their actual contracts. With a view to adjustment |f the rates in such cases, I have made strong representations to the Ministry, but they are unable to make further concessions."

Mr. Massey'said that he would make farther representations.