SHIPPING FREIGHTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18352, 9 March 1920, Page 7

SHIPPING FREIGHTS.

PROSPECT OF REDUCTION. By Telegraph— Ptms Association—Copyrigtn Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON. March 2. The newspapers arc discussing the heavy fall in North Atlantic freights. It is stated that tho Government hopes to secure all the spac? it iequires after tho ■end of March below the present agreed rate, 42s 6d per ton. Shipping circles express the opinion that this is vory doubtful, owing to the increase of all working expenses. Somewhat similar conditions prevailed in the Far Eastern trade, where rates were comparatively low. Shipping men think that there is no prospect of an early reduction of freights to Australia, but, on tho contrary, a further advance was recently contemplated. Air Larkin states that the existing Commonwealth Lino alone prevented! it from being carried into effect.

doahnion’s position. NEGOTIATIONS WITH SHIPPING AUTHORITIES. » [Pea Press Association.] • WELLINGTON, March 8. At the conference recently called by the Board of Agriculture, one of the most important matters dealt with was that of overseas shipping. As the result of this a request was made to Air Alnssey that the Government should at once enter into negotiations with the shipping authorities on matters connected with rfreiglfts for Dominion produce when trading was again freo. This matter he has now in hand, and lie hopes soon to be able to report to a larger conference the result of these negotiations for the Consideration of the producer® and the industries concerned.

CARRIAGE OF PRODUCE [Per Press Association.] GISBORNE, Alaroh 8. Hie East Coast Sheepowners’ Union passed the following resolution : —“That this branch of tho Sheepowners’ Federation favours the arrangement, if possible, of a general contract for the carriage of all New Zoaland produce at a flat rate, with the combined shipping companies trading to New Zealand, this shipping contract to be supervised in New Zealand by a representative committee, with Government representativefe.