THE SHIPPING WAR.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 16042, 1 February 1923, Page 3

THE SHIPPING WAR.

COMMONWEALTH LINE “BUCKvING” THE COMBINE.

(Elee xel Copyright—united Press Asst*.; (Received February 1, 12.40 p,iu.) • - , SIDNEY, Febv:~x3 The Commonwealth Line has caused concern in Conference shipping circles by announcing its intention to utilise idle ships by entering the American trade. Cargoes of wool will be carried at a farthing a pound cheaper than by’ the Conference Line.

LONDON, Jan. 13. Nolle lof the shipowners will atpresent, come out into the open, bptjare willing; to discuss the question'of lower freights, provided (thep’ identity is undisclosed- The- recent reduction of 10s per toii> by the Commonwealth Line has caused' much perturbation. Some use inelegant language. ! v “It ik Billy Hughes spitting in the beer. He can’t drink it himself, (and won t let anyone else.” This, is the way a prqminent shipowner, stipulating for. anonymity,• explains the reductions, the announcement of which caused! a sensation in the city! f . . Shipowners,,and merchants are meetmg to'-morrowto discuss the position. The shipowners:,have not yet decided whethejp to-follow’ suit with reductions, a s Mil* Lark'fn is .reputed to have detenuined -on - wqr and may make further) rediucijoiiis. . i ; “Mr. -says he is going to have* a rate ! ) w,atvi ,, ii declared a representative! ' of the Jines to the Sun. ft Merchants ’ won’t like it, as it frill spoil ojl thqir, ...husineses. It i a obviously t a political move. The general feeling t is that’ is against so Mr. Larkin chooses this as the psychological moment to cause trouble -and slmw. what a benefif it is by providing low rates. “Wq. have been negotiating with him for some time tin various matters. He demandejdyarr extortionate share of our business, and to that it is impossible to agree. He also objected to the rebate system. He was told when the> first matter wnST solved, doubtless thei second would be easily arranged. “Suddenly on Friday last Mr. Larkin wrote and presented a pistol at-our beads and gave us an ultimatum- that unless we agreed to share the trade, and agreed to the rebate abolition- by noon to-day, we should have ta take the consequences.”