COASTAL FREIGHTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17095, 18 February 1916, Page 2

COASTAL FREIGHTS.

[Per Press Association.-] . 1 AUCKLAND, February 17. , Auckland shipowners have refused to consider the new scale of freights pro- , pared by the Auckland Coastal Mas*-; tens’ Association, and a communication has been sent to the secretary to that effect. It is understood that the pro“posed scale of freights included some considerable increases on the rates now ruling for coastal vessels trading to the port. Many coastal masters are paid on the percentage system; that is,they receive a certain. percentage ot the freight, the balance going to the shipowners. The position 6f these men is, staged to be that while thet cost ofi living has gone up very considerably: ris a result of tfie war. coastal .shipping rates aire unaltered', the ifcsulF being that they are' losers. The atti-. tude adopted by the shipowners, on the other hand, is that while they recognise there lias been some lots as a result of the' war, they do' not wish to saddle the public with any .further burden and so are disinclined to take any opportunity of reaping what they term V Avar profits’*’. _As a result of tile shipowners* refusal' to accede to the suggested scale, the Coastal Masters’ Association. has been placed in a somewhat difficult position and • its -attitude is awaited with interest. ...