RATES ANNOUNCED

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 10, 12 January 1929, Page 9

RATES ANNOUNCED

IRON AND STEEL OMITTED SHIPPING STATEMENT Australlau Tresa Association,—United Service. (Received 12th January, 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, 11th January. The following are additional increases in shipping freights:—Paper not otherwiso enumerated, in bales, reels, and rolls, 55s to 62s Gd; in cases, 90s to 100s; .flat, "in cases, 55s to 70s; wrapping, in cases, 75s to Sss; bales, 05s to (355. ■• ' - ■ ,

Shipowners lengthily conferred with, representatives of the Paper Makers' Association before fixing tho freights. A representative of tho Australian Press Association; in a discussion with members of tho Australian Merchants' Association, reveals the apparent reason for a,'.desire that the rates should not be disclosed. Thorp appears to be an apprehension that, tho Australian Tariff Board might possibly increase the duty on- articles on which the freights have not been increased-.

It is understood that ,the decision to omit iron and steel from the increases was arrived at aftor a deal of consideration. It was pointed out that any increase would entirely -'nullify the recent slight reduction in British rail freights, and, furthermore, the Sydney harbour bridge contract is based on tho rates 'prevailing when it was made. It is stated that these, considerations were gtroiigly advanced.

There is a feeling among big shippers that very early advantage has been taken of tho withdrawal of competition by the Commonwealth Line to impose a wholesale increase on all measurement freights. On the other side shipowners stress that even had the Common-wealth Line still been in existence conditions would have demanded the present increase. Shipowners are endeavouring to acquaint shippers with the new schedule without dolay, but in tho meantime delay is bound to continue in individual cases.