SHIPPING BRIBES

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 10412, 20 October 1927, Page 5

SHIPPING BRIBES

SOUTH AFRICAN FREIGHT AVAR. GOVERNMENT takes prompt ACTION. THREATENS TO TERMINATE AIAIL SERVICE. (United Press Assn.—Copyright.; (Received Oct. 19, J.O p.m.) CAPETOWN. Oct. 3.9. _ A dramatic- turn was given to 't'he' South African freight war by the intervention of "the Union Government in view of the recent decision by a conference of lines to give a, special discount to shippers of wool from South Africa provided these shippers employ exclusively the vessels of the conference. Tlio Government warns the Union Castle Company that such methods will be regarded as a deliberate and an open violation of the mail contract, and declares that unless they are stopped immediately the Government will not only take'action to terminate the mail, contract tjy giving necessary year’s notice, but will also exercise its powers under the Post Office Act in order to impose countervailing dock charges. The Cape Times, in its comment, states that these bludgeoning methods are unworthy of the. Union Castle Line’s line past record, and declares that the action of the conference is giving a powerful lever to socialist elements in the pact Government, who are searching for a good excuse to commit South Africa to the fatal policy of State shipping.