AMERICAN FREIGHT WAR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2302, 14 April 1898, Page 24

AMERICAN FREIGHT WAR.

DIRECT' MONTHLY STEAMBES TO AUSTRALIA. The lecent excitement in American freights reached a climax yesterday (says the Sydney Telegraph of the 29th u!fc.), when ib became kaown by private cables that the aaerehanta forming the opposition movement to tbe American freight ring had ananged for a rnonthlj service of steamers between New York and Australia to compete for a share of the trade between the United States and the colonies. The movement is regarded in mercantile circles as one o'i lbs moti important ever experienced ia connection with our reciprocal trade with Amedca, while it is one destined sooner or later to leave sailing vessels in the minorii-y, Acaoug tho special advantages which wili accrue to shippers and importers by steam will bo a saving of something like 50 per cent, in time of transit. The steamers secured for che service are oi 4-000 to 5000 tons capacity, and will run down in about 50 days, as sgainst the prcseat tedious and uncertain voyage of 100 dayss or more. Certainty of despatch, as well as equal certainty of arrival, will afford importers privileges which h»ve never yet been experienced in thi3 direction. A highly important factor in the new development is that whereas hitherto a large quantity of merchandise from the Middle Statea has been carried to the West Ooa^b of America at costly rates for internal freight, such goods will in future be taken to the eastern ports of the United -Slates at a saving in mauy instances of 10 to 15 per cent., and brought direct by steamer. In a similar manner a large quantity of goods, especially in soft Jjooda, boots and shoes, and the like, which aroafc present being shipped via Europe, will be c&nied direct from manufacturer to consumer. This will enable importers to s.nve about half the time hitherto employed in carriage, which will eoable them to keep in touch with the latest class of goods as well as abreast of the dictates of fashion and custom. Not only will the Australian colonies participate in the increased facilities for transit, but New Zealand and the outlying colonies will he provided with cheap and rapid delivery, with bub oue transhipment ab Sydney or Melbourne. The arrangements made are so complete and effective that the firsb -ataataej: will be das-

patched at the end of May, calling at Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney. Probably later steamers will call at Brisbane, and so complete the round trip, returning by India aud the Cape. The all important questioa of cost of freight is one that figures to advantage in the new steam service. Actual rates have not yet been divulged, but ib is stated that they will not be much in excess of those now charged by the •'ring" for sailing ships. Indeed, taking into consideration the numerous advantages of steam over sail, they are expected to figure even less. The establishment of a direct line of steamers between the Australian colonies and the east coast of America at ones suggests a degree or reciprocity in trade which ha 3 hitbrto been impossible to attempt. In the matter oE our wool staple a quick and easy means of back loading will be provided, which will at once suggest to American woolbuyers the desirability of operating direci with this market. Such a procedure would considerably lessen the cost to American manuficturers, and thereby enable them to counteract protective duties on the other side, and so increase their consumption of Australian wools. In the direction of station produce, metals, and other products, there is also an opening suggested which as yet sband9 without precedent. Viewed in every direction the project is one which cinnot bring other tfaan the most desirable results alike to importer.!, distributors, consumers, and producers.