Freight Priority Scheme For Anzac Countries

Northern Advocate, 21 December 1942, Page 6

Freight Priority Scheme For Anzac Countries

LONDON, Dec. 13. New freight registration schemes for New Zealand and Australia provide that a shipper must apply for space to any shipping line or recognised broker, after which cargo, if approved, will be registered for shipment. The city editor of “The Times” explaining this adds that the announcement of the Minister for War Transport does not mention the fact but. neither scheme will embrace some essential cargo which naturally will continue to receive precedence. The instructions on the application forms for exporters to Australia stale that when the Australian Government sponsors the cargo “a letter ol' essentiality issued from the Commonwealth Office in London must, be attached when the form is lodged for registration.” The idea evidently is that sponsored cargo receives priority over unsponsored, although it may be contended that little if any cargo" these davs has not some relation to tin* war effort. Tito Australian scheme, like New Zealand’s is distinguished from other registration systems because it is nor. directly linked with detailed classification merchandise, according to numerous degrees of priority as exists, for instance, for South Africa.

The Ministry’s notice to New Zealand shippers contains a warning that' the registration scheme may later entail an extension of the priority rating system which has been operating’oil this route for some time. Working experience will show whether either scheme requires modification and it would be too much to assume that reliance can bo placed on continuance of comparatively easy conditions irt view of the war’s developments.