THE SHIPPING PROBLEM.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17284, 27 September 1916, Page 10

THE SHIPPING PROBLEM.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir.—l observe with pleasure the reference mado to snipping venture oy the chairman of the Nzv? Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Association. Mr Pannett is certainly on solid ground in all" his statements in this* connection. We are Quite aware that the war has oaused somewhat abnormal conditions, but nevertheless realise the glaring advantaga taken by the various shipping companies sheltering behind the war influence as an excuse for all the exorbitant freights-imposed. But what aro the various amalgamations going on » and all this multiplicity of unity, but- a combine to keep prices high after the war. eliminate competition and exploit the producers and consumers of this Dominion to the most bearable point possible? Surely it onh reouiros. some thought and commobsecso to • realise • that reasonable cheap freights are the chief economic ossential to the increased lifo trade of this fair Britain of the South, wn«re real intensive cultivation' is hardly yet in its infancv. Handicap of distance from the world's markets is compensated by our seasons being right for the marketing of our produce, and enable us to effectively cater to the northern homisohere at a time and season when their m-cduction is at its lowest ebb. Our advantages in this correction are. futile without reasonablo bedrock freights and this we shall never secure until wo have anoti'octiv© voice- and direct say m theshrp•>ing I feel nositivoly certain we shall onlv' get true" justice when.we earn the to same, viz., rise to the occasion and subscribe to a New Zealand national shipping scheme in the interests of the Dominion as a whole. There is certainly every reason why rho Government should support and largely foster such a venture, the management to be run bv an executive of experts' nominated and elected by the couvninmiv shareholders. . Thoroughly orgaiused and efficiently managed, arid backed by the producers' and consumers as shareholders from ~nd to the Bluff, who shall say sucli a venture will not triumph triumphantly to the mutual advantage of town and country alike? The first practical stop after the war fo-- the best progress and lasting good of this Dominion should certainly be the launching of this most desirable project. I "think, sir, that such a worthy scheme as this must undoubtedly commend itself to all.-J am. etc., FARMER.