FREIGHT CONTRACT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 101, 29 March 1939, Page 10

FREIGHT CONTRACT.

NEGOTIATIONS FOR RENEWAL. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, March 28. Negotiations tor the renewal of the freight contract for the shipment of New Zealand refrigerated produce to tho United Kingdom are to commence in Wellington to-morrow. The discussions will be attended by representatives of the Government, produce and marketing organisations, and shipping companies. The Minister of Marketing (Hon. W. Nash) will open proceedings which are expected to last several days. The present three-year contract for butter, cheese, meat and fruit will expire on August 31 and the new contract will take effect as from that date. This will be tho first time that negotiations for a freight contract for refrigerated cargo have taken place in New Zealand The representatives of the Government and the export produce boards in the negotiations will be Hon. W. Nash (Minister of Marketing), and Sir Francis Frazer (deputy-i/nirma \ ol the Executive Commission of Agriculture). Meat Producers’ Board.—Mr T. A. Duncan (chairman), Mr James Bcgg, Sir William Hunt. Fruit Board. —Mr T. C. Brash, Mr Ralph Paynter. Primary Products Marketing Department. —Mr G. A. Duncan (actingdirector), Mr J. W. llodden (assistant London manager). In addition -to the above representatives the discussions will be attended by Government advisers and executive officials of the produce boards. The shipping companies will be Represented by Mr John MacMillan (managing director of the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company, Ltd.), Mr H. J. F. Mills (director of tho New Zealand Shipping Co., Ltd.), Mr H. W. Corry (director of tho Port Line, Ltd.), Mr G. H. Trott (London manager of the Blue Star Line, Ltd.).

STORAGE CONGESTION. Per Press Association. NEW PLYMOUTH, March 28. Though relief from congestion of meat storage space is expected in Auckland, the opposite appears to be the prospect in Taranaki. Only two ships have been allotted to load in April at New Plymouth, with the result that space in the AVaitara freezing works will remain taxed at full capacity for a longer period and the killing of stock for export will have to be further curtailed. IMPORTANT CON KEREN CE. BIG ANNUAL COST. (Bv Telegraph.—Special to Standard.) WELLINGTON, March 29. As the annual freight bill for New Zealand’s exports ot refrigerated produce is now approaching five millions, the eonierencc to make a fresh agreement with the shipowners, which opens to-day, is of vital interest to the producers. The new freight agreement, operating on August 1. will cover meat, dairy produce and fruit. Australia has not evolved the Dominion's system of mass bargaining with overseas shipowners, and its freights are generally higher. The earliest freight contract bv New Zealand was made in 1922 in London, this being the first important duty of the Meat Producers’ Board. The Daily Board and Fruit Board subsequently participated in the negotiations, and in ]936 the Government directly participated as it was about to take over exported dairy produce, and the Primary Products 'Marketing Act empowered tlie Minister of Marketing to negotiate freight contracts on all refrigerated produce. The conference is expected to last about a fortnight.