SAVING A WEEK.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 2777, 19 October 1923, Page 5

SAVING A WEEK.

FROM LONDON TO SYDNEY. PLANS FOR SPEEDING UP MAIL SERVICES. DOUBLE TAX BURDEN. [By Electric Cable —Copyright]

[Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.] (Received Thursday, 7 p.m.)

LONDON, Oct. 18

Sir R. Mackinder, while speaking at the Economic Conference, said four days could be saved on the Australian voyage by using airships to Egypt, two days on the Indian ocean by speeding up steamships, one day at Fremantle. and a little time on the trans-contin-ental journey. This was a betterscheme than paying a subsidy for special steamers, in the opinion of the imperial Shipping Committee. The speaker detailed the methods whereby the Imperial Shipping Committee could persuade the Commonwealth Government and the Conference Line to abandon their quarrel. He had received a joint letter from Messrs. Kenneth Anderson and Eva that the adoption of a system of rebate or agreement was working satisfactorily. Over SOO firms had signed an agreement, which was being amended to meet the wishes of the Merchants' Association. There were 1500 firms shipping in the Australian trade. Sir R. Mackinder hoped Messrs. Bruce and Massey would meet representatives of the Chamber of Shipping to discuss the question of light dues, port charges, pilotage and quarantine exponses. He said very small profits were, being made by British shipping to-day, so the question or levying income tax on shipping throughout the Empire was most Important. The shipping committee was also drafting its conclusions upon methods of assessment, which it wa_ hoped the Dominion Premiers would consider.