CARGO FREIGHT RATES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21482, 4 May 1933, Page 9

CARGO FREIGHT RATES

OFFER OF REDUCTION MATTER IN ABEYANCE (Received May 3, 6.35 p.m.) LONDON. May 3 Until the New Zealand shippers' representative, Mr. D. Jones, arrives in London to negotiate a new freight agreement little more is likely to he heard of the proposal of the Blue Star Line to make provisional reductions in rates. The company declines to discuss its plans. The City editor of the Daily Express recalls the fact that Vesteys, which controls the line, put one or two ships on the China run to compete with the Peninsular and Oriental Line, but the market understands that the voyages were less profitable than was hoped. There was a similar experience with the venture in tlio Gulf fruit trade. The rates offered to New Zealand are below those of the regular lines with which Mr. Jones is coming to negotiate. A message from Wellington on April 27 stated: A cablegram has been received by the Newspaper Proprietors' Association stating that the Blue Star Line will make a reduction in freight rates for both refrigerated and other cargo, provided it is assured of one Homeward loading a month. The Blue Star fleet is fully equal in personnel and equipment to what are known as the Conference lines, which at present handle the whole of New Zealand s oversea trade. The line has special experience in the carriage of chilled beef, a trade that is in the experimental stage as far as this country is concerned. The experience has been largely gained in trading with Brazil with 13,0C0-ton vessels, the best known of which are the Almeda Star, Avelona Star, Avila Star and Andalucia Star. One of the bestknown liners engaged almost -exclusively in cruises to the Mediterranean and Norway is the 15,000-ton luxury liner Arandora Star. The proposals will be put before the Dairy Control Board and the Meat Board by Mr. Harold Johnson, of ■ Wellington.