FREIGHTS QUESTION.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXII, Issue LXXII, 12 October 1916, Page 4

FREIGHTS QUESTION.

NEW ZEALAND'S PROTEST

The New Zealand Government has cabled to Mr Massey on the subject of the rise in 'wool freights.; Without the assistance of the Imperial Government] the New Zealand Government is powerless to help exporters in their protest, against the increase. The New Zealand Government cannot commandeer the ships. It could prohibit the export of wool with the object of compelling the shipping companies to reduce, their freights; but such a prohi-j bition, it is believed, would almost certainly not have the effect desired. The result, it is f eared j would probably be that the ships would be diverted to other trades,' in which, it is said, the rewards are even richer than in the New Zealand trade. Near at hand Australia can fill all the space available. The New Zealand .Government could purchase or charter ships, but only at prices based on the war earnings of steamers, which are enormous, and the Government might possibly come "to .the conclusion that it w'otild .bebetter to bear, the impost1 of high' prices < which would assuredly be demanded ior; the purchase outright or the charter of ships. The Imperial; Government. how-r ever, could commandeer the ships; and fix such rates of freightftas might be deemed to1 be equitable (says the Dominion.) ■'.■"■'■