FREIGHT WAR ENDED.

Grey River Argus, 5 November 1928, Page 7

FREIGHT WAR ENDED.

CANADIAN TRADE THREE MONTHS ’ COMPETITION. AUCKLAND, October 3U. freight war between the New Zealand Shipping Company and the Canadian National Steamships is understood to be at- an end. The war has lasted three months, and during that time nine steamers were dispatched from 'Montreal to New Zealand, laden." with general merchandise carried at the flat rla(te of five dollars a ton.- Of these nine steamers seven werj\ controlled by the Canadian National Steamship and two by the New Zealand Shipping Company. Both companion claim the right to run an individual cargo service between the two countries. The New* Zealand Company’s claim is due* to the fact that it has run an irregular service for over 20 years. Officials for thfc Canadian National Steamships state their line has ru® a regular monthly service for six years and that the service, is quite sufficient for the cargo off ring. The freight war was started in. August, when the N'ew Zealand Shipping Company arranged to dispatch the chartered steamer Baron Inchcape from Montreal to New Zealand with cargoj at a flat rate of five dollars a ion “instead of the usual chargo of about eight dollars to twenty dollars a ton .according to- the particular clas s of the merchandise. The* Company also arranged for the chartered steamer Wirral to take the September loading The Baron Inehcapei reached Auckland on 7th October, and the; Wirral is due about 11th "November. The Canadian National Steamships retaliated, first by reducing the freight charge to the same level and then arranged for four extra steamers to be dispatched xu* New Zealand with the cargo at a reduced rate. The Canadian Conqueror was put o;n for thj August loading, and the (Canadian Highlander tor September loading. Extra steamer.*-, were fhe Canadian Winner, Canadian Explorer, Canadian Traveller, Canadian Cruiser and the chartered steamer Eastmoor, The Canadian Conqueror Canadian Winner, and Canadian Explorer have already reached New Zealand, and the Canadian Traveller, the Canadian Highland’! and the Eas fmoor are en route from Montreal. Two ether Canadian National steamers arc scheduled to- leave Montreal for New Zealand, the Canadian Britisher on 25th October and the Canadian Tran* porter on. 21st November. The New Zealand Shipping Company has not arranged for a steamer to iioad at Mon treat this month, consequently the cargo of the Canadian Britisher and the Canadian Transporter is to b* carried at normal rat ts. Whether th* New Zealand Shipping Co., will again compete with its rival it not certain, but c.ffieials of the Canadian Line state they are determined to oentinue the reduced rates to meet competition.