FLAT RATE FREIGHTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20704, 30 April 1929, Page 13

FLAT RATE FREIGHTS.

PROPOSED ABANDONMENT. SHIPPING COMPANY'S VIEW. ;PkbD kited Press Association.) GISBORNE, April 29. The Gisborne Harbour Board received a communication from the head office of the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company in London on the subject of the proposed abandonment - of the flat rate freight charges in New Zealand ports. The company states: “ To be quite candid we think that Gisborne and other wayside ports are unnecessarily alarmed at the action of the Wellington Harbour Board, as not for a moment can we ’believe, that New Zealand as a whole will agree to give the producers in the neighbourhood of the main ports certain preference over the producers at roadstead ports.. From the shipowners’ point of view, wo probably would welcome an arrangement that would effect curtailing the ports of loading and coastwise steaming, <bnt this is a matter controlled by the shipowner, as he is expected to cater for trade efficiently in fair or foul weather, and present his ship to lift cargo at such points as it arises. We cannot believe for. one moment that differentiation can possibly be made in favour of the main ports to the detriment of other jiorts, and shall be very much surprised if any legislation will be forthcoming that will in any way change the present system under which the smaller ports enjoy the same privileges as the larger ones.”