DAIRY PRODUCE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10992, 30 August 1921, Page 10

DAIRY PRODUCE

THE FREIGHT QUESTION. CREATION OF EXPORTERS' COUNCIL. Mr P. C. Basche (chairman of the New South Wales Butter and ’ Cheese Exporters* Association) presided at a conference of butter and cheese exporters from the various States interested. The following resolutions were adopted (1) 'That a Federal butter and cheese exporters* council shall he established; (a) to ensure the equitable allocation of oversea shipping freight between the several States; (b) to take action to secure reasonable rates of freight/* (2) "That we request the Oversea Shipping Representatives* Association to submit to council a freight schedule of sailings, giving refrigerated tonnage covering all lines, and to provide at least two steamers each fortnight. In the event of there being a surplus of tonnage offering at any particular period, preference be given to butter in mail or fast steamers. The committee also met in conference the oversea shipowners' representatives, when assurances were given by the owners* representatives that everything possible would be done to ensure tho smooth working of the business, and regular despatch of steamers, the objective being one steamer weekly. DEFINITE SCALE FOR NEW SEASON. Mr Basche said that the representatives of the dairying industry keenly appreciated the excellent services main* tained under most difficult conditions between Australia and the United Kingdom during the war by the oversea shipowners. It was felt, nowever, that the present rates charged on buttor and cheese were excessive. Although the committee had considered it inexpedient to enter into any lengthy contract, they were authorised to submit for the owners* consideration a definite rate for freight on butter and cheese for the year ending June 30th next. Sir Owen Cox intimated that the high' rate had been forced upon tho shipowners by the effects of the war. The cost of running steamers to-day 1 was three times what they were before the war. Owners had been charged with making increased profits, whereas they were not making more, but less, money. It waa not a question cf running at a profit. . It wa* o ouestion of running at ail. The chairman of the Oversea Shipowners* Representatives* Association stated that the arrangements made by the committee regarding applications for freight were eminently satisfactory. In regard to the rate of freight offered, the committee would be pleased to recommend the acceptance in a cable which would be promptly despatched to the shipowners in London.