SHIPPING FREIGHTS

Southland Times, Issue 22041, 14 June 1933, Page 7

SHIPPING FREIGHTS

PRIMARY PRODUCE. ABSENCE OF COMPETITION. (Per United Press Association.) Hastings, June 13. In view of the negotiations which are proceeding in connection with a new contract for shipping primary products, the following resolution has been passed by the directors of the Hawkes Bay Farmers’ Meat Company and W. Richmond, Ltd.: “That the directors are of opinion that hitherto the producers of New Zealand have suffered seriously through the absence of any real competition among the shipping companies for the carriage of produce. We are, unanimously, emphatically of the opinion that any opportunity which occurs which may tend to promote more healthy legitimate competition among the shipping companies in the carriage of New Zealand produce should be encouraged in every possible way and to the utmost extent by the Meat Board and all producers’ organizations in the Dominion.” REDUCED CHARGES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE’S VIEWS. (Per United Press Association.) Christchurch, June 13. A joint meeting of the exporters and importers committees of the Chamber of Commerce considered the question of freights on produce exported from the Dominion and passed a resolution urging that representations be made to shipping companies to have a substantial reduction made. The following resolution was carried: That in view of the following facts, (a) the general fall in values of all commodities exported from New Zealand (b) our products have to compete with those from other sources which are carried at much lower- rates of freight, even after allowing for our geographical handicap; (c) overseas companies since 1924 have afforded very little relief and none at all in some cases in freight rates on general cargo outwards, representations be made to shipping companies with a view to obtaining reductions which are long overdue and that this chamber affirms as a general principal that the freight rates for general cargo should be left subject to ordinary business competition untrammelled by the restrictions at present made operative in agreements for the carriage of produce and goods entered into by produce control boards.