COMMERCIAL

Evening Star, Issue 17597, 28 February 1921, Page 7

COMMERCIAL

INCREASE OF MEAT FREIGHTS. HIGH COMMISSIONER’S CABLE. With reference to the representation made by the Prime Minister urging the Imperial authorities to reduce the freight on meat, Mr Massey has received the following cablegram from the High Commissioner The Ministry of Food has agreed to pay shipowners hero nt the rate of 144 s per 40 cubic feet insulated space, charging shippers of free meat poundage rates (or the 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 January 5 were worked out by the steamship lines here. The calculation of the Wellington Committee showed a material increase, and an investigation of the latter’s figures in the light of actual shipments confirmed the views of tho Wellington Committee. The following poundage rates will therefore operate on steamers for March and April loading ;—Beef 1 15-16 d, mutton 2d, lamb 215-16 d, all net. The Ministry regrets that it lias become necessary to raise the rates after tho 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 tho adjustment of rates in such cases. I have made strong representations to the Ministry. but it is unable to make, further concessions.” Mr Massey said ho would make further representations. THE HOME MARKETS. Press Ansociaf an —By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, February 26. Cotton; The Liverpool quotation of American middlin'* upland is 7.33 d per lb. Rubber: Fine, hard Para, per lb ; plantation, first latex crepe, Is Igd ; smoked ribbed sheet. Hid. Jute: February-March shipment, £52 per ton. Hemp : Dull; Febrnary-April shipment, £43 per ton. Copra : Weak ; February-April shipment, £3l per ton. Linseed oil, £32 IDs per ton, equal to 2s 7,jd per gallon. Turpentine, 60s per cwt, equal to 4s 6-f-d per gallon.—A. and N.Z. Cable. THE WOOL MARKET. At tho free wool sale there was less foreign competition, 60 per cent, being sold. Merinos, which were a fair selection, were slightly easier; pood crossbreds wore Id below the opening; and low shabby sorts were withdrawn. New Zealand Oakwnod brought 19jd and 17Ad, and Mendip Hills 20Id. MELBOURNE. February 26. The proclamation prohibiting the export of wool is revoked, after being seven years in operation. Messrs Murray, Roberta, and Co., Ltd., have received the following wool market cablegram from their London agents, dated the 25th inst. :—“Market weak and irregular ; poor demand. Market has fallen 10 to 15 per rent., crnss-brecls showing the greatest decline.” It is time that something was done to stop or, if that is impossible, to reduce tho pilfering of cargo that is growing worse every day (says tho Melbourne ‘Argus’). A New South Wales stipendiary magistrate of long experience and high legal attainments has been appointed a Royal Commission, with a direction to inquire into the evil in all its phases. For instance, doubt has been raised whether the thefts take place at tho port of loading, on tho voyage, or at the port of discharge. It is important that evidence should be obtained of the fate of cargo at all its stages, to decide where most good would result bv the application of special measures for detection of offenders. The terms of tho commission also indicate that allegations have been made of conspiracy between Customs officers and pilferers. A feeling of insecurity will prevail while this suspicion remains. In the meantime pilferin'* goes on, and while awaiting the report of the Royal Commission it is to be honed that magistrates will severely punish offenders whoso guilt has been proved. Fines have no terrors for thieves, who, however, would hesitate before risking their liberty and freedom. This is a question of particular concern to the public,, for it has to make up the losses in the long run.