SUEZ CANAL DUES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21948, 9 May 1933, Page 9

SUEZ CANAL DUES

QUESTION OF REDUCTION

DIVERSION OF TRAFFIC.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, March 31.

The subject of Suez canal tolls was raised in the House of Commons when Mr Runciman, president of the"' Board of Trade, was asked whether the Government would consider arranging for the international review of the. whole question of the Suez canal charges on the ground that their incidence is prejudicial to. the recovery of world shipping and trade. Mr Runciman replied that the question of the, Suez canal charges was a matter for the Suez Canal Company, which was a private company holding a concession from the Egyptian Government. s

" There are on the board of the company," he added, "seven non-official British directors, representing British shipping and commercial interests, who have the question of charges continually under their consideration. The three official directors nominated will be prepared to agree to any reasonable reduction in these charges." Mr Hammersley (C, Stockport) inquired : Will the president of the Board of Trade represent to the Chancellor of the Exchequer that it is desirable that the whole of this matterof ownership of the Suex canal should be taken into consideration when the French debt is being settled?

Mr Runciman: I am quite sure my right hon. friend (Mr Chamberlain was sitting beside Mr Runciman) was listening to the hon. member's question.— (Laughter.) Captain Cazalet (C, Chippenham) followed up by inquiring: Was the right hon. gentleman aware that British cargo boats were now finding it cheaper to go round by the west coast of Africa? Mr Runciman: That is one of the things the British Government representatives on the board have brought to the attention of the board.

The 10 members of the London Committee of the board include Mr T. Harrison Hughes, Sir A. G. Anderson, Sir John Cadman, Sir A. Cayzer, Lord Cromer, Sir John T. Davies, Sir Robert Home, Sir I. Malcolm, Sir T. Royden, and Sir W. Wyldbore Smith. Sir lan Malcolm, Sir John T. Davies, and the Earl of Cromer are the' official members nominated by the British Govment, the other seven representing British shipping and commercial interests. The total directorate numbers 32, and as a measure of economy leading to lower dues it is suggested that the number should be reduced.