SHIPPING FACILITIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16098, 11 December 1915, Page 9

SHIPPING FACILITIES.

COMING SEASON'S FREIGHTS.

ADEQUATE SPACE EXPECTED

INQUIRIES PROCEEDING.

A report was presented to the council of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce at its meeting yesterday by the president, Mr. E. Anderson, who attended a meeting of the executive of the association of the. New Zealand Chambers of Commerce, held in Wellington on November 16-

Mr. Anderson reported that several remits were received from other chambers in regard to shipping facilities. Representations had been made by the executive to the Government, and the Prime Minister, in his reply, stated that he had referred the matter to the New Zealand Overseas Shipowners' Committee. The reply indicated that the allocation of insulated steamers rested with the London Tonnage Committee of the Imperial Board of Trade. The committee indicated that it was too early to forecast the number of steamers likely to be available from January next to the end of the season, but the committee believed that adequate provision would be made. In regard to general cargo, several of the shipping companies were supplementing the existing tonnage with chartered steamers, and it was also stated that inquiry had been made in Australia and London regarding securing the service of interned enemy ships, but none was available. The matter would come before the executive at the next meeting, when, it might be presumed, some definite information would be forthcoming regarding the number of steamers available.

Referring to f.o.b. contracts, Mr. Anderson stated that the question of the liability of shippers of New Zealand produce who had made forward contracts in Australia at f.o.b. rates was alluded to by one of the Southern members of the executive. Although it had been generally recognised that the buyer who bought on an f.o.b. basis was legally bound to provide his own freight, the position for many years past had been that freight arrangements had been made by the sellers. In normal times no serious troubles regarding space had been encountered, but. owing to the recent curtailment of shipping facilities, producers in the South bad been unable to deliver goods on due date. It was contended by the buyers that for manyyears it has been the custom for New Zealand shippers to 'provide their own space, and consequently this custom had established a precedent as far as New Zealand was concerned. He understood that the view expressed by the Australian buyers was probably correct. Mr. Anderson renorted that various other matters were discussed and disposed of. and in his opinion the central executive was doincr. and would continue to do. very valuable work. Mr. Anderson was thanked for his report.