THE SUEZ CANAL DUES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 96, 13 June 1911, Page 2

THE SUEZ CANAL DUES.

Ihe Auckland “Star” savs:—Sir Joseph Ward has once m )ro performed a distinct service to tee - 1. ?< (e Empire by drawing attention to the extortionate charges imposed on vessels passing through the Suez Canal the grievances of which our Premier complains have demanded redress foi in any years in vain ; and in England it i£ difficult even to get a hearing for them. Two years ago the “J)aih Telegraph” declared that Sir Joseph 'i ti "i 13 le oil L 7 Public man in the Empire who had persistently protested against these excessive charges. “British opinion is apathetic, and the shipowners seem now to have thrown up the sponge, finding the British Government determined to get all the revenue possible out of the investment made by Lord Beaconsfield.” 'Certainly, England has done remarkably well out of her in-

vestment. The original cost of our 176,000 shares was a trifle over £■1,000,000, and to-day they are valued at considerably over £31,000,000. and are paying a 6 per cm it dividend. But while it is natural that England, as tJig largest, shareholder, should be inclined to meg up the cbaigos, it must not he forgotten that most of the shipping that passes through the canal'flies the British flag, and that it is not to England’s interest to cripple her oversea trade. It is true < that large sums have been spent in widening the canal ; with the result that, whereas a vessel took about 48 hours to get she can now clear tire cannl in 17 hours. Since 1875, when England practically gained control ol the canal, the charges on cargo boats have been cut down 25 per cent, but -the dues- paid by passeugw steamers remain unchanged; and it is contended that the enormous profits made and the immense increase of traffic would justify a liberal reduction on the charges. The stockholders apparently rely on the fact that the canal is absolutely indispensible; but it certainly seems bad policy to tax traffic at inordinate rates with the result >of crippling maritime enterprise, and improving the prospects of such a rival as the Panama Canal.