SHIPPING COMBINE.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 158, 20 June 1911, Page 1

SHIPPING COMBINE.

DISCUSSED AT THE CONFERENCE.

THE QUESTION OF REBATES.’

[HUSS ASSOCIATIO*.—COPYRIGHT).

London, June 19. I On Mr. Graaff’s resolution, Mr. Buxton suggested the addition of the following words “in so far as such combines are prejudicial to j trade. ” He said he must not, how-j ever, be considered' as necessarily agreeing with all Mr. Graaff’s argu- i ments or conclusions. He must look > at the question from a more gen-1 eral standpoint. He reminded thei conference in connection with the J Royal Commission on rebates -if? 1906, whereon the dominions were; represented, that neither the majority report made any very dras ‘ tic suggestions. They proposed not the abolition of rebates, but the! creation of associations of those | with certain powers to; be conferred on the Board of Trade’s initiative. The carrying! out of the proposals was largely' left to the parties interested, but shippers, merchants, traders, and { manufacturers had not manifested any great desire to press the Board; of Trade. Recorder he invited a con-! f erence of the parties interested to | meet him and the Board of Trade, but the support they were prepared I to give any drastic legislation was j not encouraging. The fact was that s there was a considerable difference i of opinion as to how far under pro-! per conditions shipping conferences and the system they involved were! an advantage or a disadvantage to > the country’s trade, and in view of • the magnitude of the mercantile ! marine it was not easy to legislate ( concerning its interests, unless a considerable body of opinion was behind him- But the Government * would keep the matter under con- - sideration and watch developmens in South Africa and elsewhere. ; Mr. Brodeur said that Canada* had no serious objection to the! motion, but •' serious injustice was | done not by the Shipping Confer-! ence but by the British Insurance combine by inserting a clause in; their policies imposing higher pre-» miums on ships entering British, North American ports. Mr. Pearce stated that expert-! ence set Australians very definitely * against rebates. Legislation in con- ; nection with coastal trade proved, that the suppression of rebates! did not interfere with the regularity of the service, the; stability of rates and other matters beneficial to trade. The; conference system was a distinct • disadvantage to the United King-; dom. He was surprised that they j bad not received more support from | British traders with a view to taking action. The Royal Commission showed that under the Shipping' Conference lines a preferential sys-. |em operated in favour of the Unit-. ed States against Great Britain. It; also disclosed the fact that the sys-' tern extended to tne Australian' overseas trade. There was a strong agitation in Australia in favour of; the Government owning the liners; between Australia and Great Britain to prevent the producer being; exploited and deprived of his pro fits on the market. He mentioned the recent mail contract fixing rates of freight. Sir Joseph Ward considered that South Africa had a substantial■ grievance. He supported the resolution, though as far as New Zea- ;

land was concerned he was unable : to agree with all Mr. Graaff’s argu- ■ ments. South Africa had special! difficulties. New Zealand must also study the particular needs of her own people. Owing to the peculiarities of her trade and position, re-! bates did not exist for her oversea trade. Many traders were com-' polled to pay double rates on spe- ■ cial articles of commerce. refrigerating steamers were required for frozen meat and dairy pro-; duce, and if tramp steamers were given ordinary cargo not requiring refrigerating, double rate* would have to be paid on frozen meat and 1 dairy produce. He had always insisted on the smallest producer te-! ing placed on an equality with the | largest shipper. New Zealand on < the whole had placed rhe hipping business on a satisfactory fovrng, • but he recognised South Afrca’a’ I *

Mr. Graaff declared that South Africa intended to proceed until she obtained reasonable rates and conditions. The resolution as amended u-s agreed to.