FREIGHT WAR ENDED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 26 October 1928, Page 5

FREIGHT WAR ENDED

CANADIAN TRADE WITH NEW ZEALAND

(By Telegraph—Special to "The Kail")

'-■•' AUCKLAND, 25th October, j The freight war between the New Zealand Shipping Co. and the Canadian National Steamships is understood to be at an end. The war has lasted three months, and during that time nine steamers were dispatched from Montreal to New Zealand, laden with general merchandise carried at a flat rate of five dollars a ton. Of these nine steamers seven were controlled by the Canadian National Steamship and two by the New Zealand Shipping Company. Both companies claim the right to run an individual cargo service between the two countries: The New Zealand Shipping Company's claim is due to the fact that it has run an irregular service for ever GO years. Officials of the Canadian National Steamships state their line has run a regular monthly service for six years, and that the service is quite sufficient for the cargo offering. The freight war was started ir. Aug tis't, when the New Zealand Shipping Company arranged to dispatch the chartered steamer Baron Inchcape from Mom treal to New Zealand with cargo at a flat rate of five dollars a ton instead of the usual charge of about eight dollars to twenty dollars a ton, according to the particular class of merchandise. The company also arranged for the chartered steamer Wirral to take the. September loading. The Baron tnchcape reached Auckland on 7th October, and the Wirral is due about 11th November. The Canadian National Steamships retaliated, first reducing the freight charge to the same level, and then arranged for lour extra steamers to be dispatched for New Zealand with cargo at the reduced rate. The Canadian Conqueror was put on for the August loading, and the Canadian Highlander for the Sep tember loading. Extra steamers were the Canadian Winner, and Canadian Explorer, Canadian Traveller, Canadian Cruiser- and the chartered steamer Eastmoor. The Canadian Conqueror, Canadian Winner, and Canadian Explorer have already reached New Zealand and the Canadian Traveller, the Canadian Highlander, and the Eastmoor are en route from Montreal. Two other Canadian National steamers are scheduled to leave Montreal for NewZealand, the Canadian Britisher on 25th October and the Canadian. Transporter on 21st November. The New Zealand Shipping Company has not arranged for a steamer to load at Montreal this month, consequently the cargo of the Canadian Britisher • and the Canadian Transporter is to be carried at normal rates. Whether the New Zealand Shipping Co. will again compete with its rival is not certain, but officials of the Canadian Line state they are determined to continue the reduced rates to meet competition.