CUT IN FREIGHTS

Otago Witness, Issue 3594, 30 January 1923, Page 22

CUT IN FREIGHTS

LONDON, January 22. The Commonwealth Line has reduced the outward general cargo rates by 10s per ton, and other cargo proportionately. January 25. Lloyd’s List states that a number of London merchants who are engaged in the London trade have intimated that owing to the circumstances in which the Commonwealth Line’s freight reduction has been made, they will not avail themselves of the offer to ship cargo at lower rates than those of the conference lines. The Times says:—“The Commonwealth Line cannot expect to secure a monopoly of the Australian trade, and bv cutting rates the Australian Government is simply playing into the hands of foreign steamship companies, who are eagerly pressing into the Australian trade. It is surprising to find the Australian Government taking a step which can only lead to further heavy losses on its shipping enterprise.’’ THE MISSING FLEET. MANILA, January 26. Seven ships carrying refugees and flying the Russian Imperial Flag, under Admiral Stark, anchored in Manila Bay last evening. Six hundred homeless wanderers, including 100 women and children, are petitioning for admittance to the Philippines as colonists. The Governor-General (General Wood), supported by American and Philipino sentiment, is consulting the Council of State regarding their colonisation and the question of permitting Russians to engage in coastwise trade. Meanwhile the Red Cross organisation is arranging for clothing and food supplies for the refugees. Five more refugee ships, which have been sheltering' at Formosa, are expected to reach manilia on Sunday.