THE SUPPLY OF TONNAGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20288, 22 December 1927, Page 11

THE SUPPLY OF TONNAGE

GREATLY EXCEEDS DEMANDLAMENTABLE SHORTAGE OF CARGO (Pre»« Association—Bj Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, December 20. At the Orient Company’s meeting. Sir Alan Anderson, presiding, said that ha had little pleasant to remark about tha cargo trade. The number and capacity of the steamers berthed were far beyond tha needs of trade. There was a lamentable shortage of cargo from Australia, for which liners had been designed, and the supply of tonnage was seriously exceeding the demand. Despite the 10 per cent, reduction in freights, expensive insulated space in liners was left empty or only carried wheat. H e also showed that the passenger service was equally disappointing, far more berths being available than w'ere required on th e home trips, while the Australian Navigation Act prevented overseas companies economically trading on the coast; thus the Orient Company’s saloon accommodation was being wasted for about a quarter of their itinerary. Referring to the proposed sale of the Commonwealth steamers, Sir Alan declared that there were 100 many steamers in the Australian trade. —A. and N.Z. Cable.