SECOND EDITION. Oversea Freights

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 86, 16 August 1923, Page 6

SECOND EDITION. Oversea Freights

.: DOMINION PORT CHARGES. EFFECT OF CONCENTRATION. Per Press Association. !Wellington. August 15. isfc In reference t 0 recent statements ';■ '• regarding port charges and their hearing on overseas freights, Mr ' .Jeasep (vice-chairman',of the New \> Zealand Meat Board) stated to-day uL. that- the. idea .of concentrating the . New Zealand meat trade at four ports is absurd and utterly ..impracticable.'; The deterioration and consequent loss, in value caused by numerous handlings of meat would far outweigh any possible reductions in , freight; indeed, the meat would depreciate more in value than the entire overseas freight. ..-■■■ Mr Jess|p said shipping if» con-' centrated at a few ports in Austraia, to the everlasting, detriment of Australian produce, and instead of. such concentration making freights less the reverse is the case. A recent comparison of a steamer of gross tonnage shows that the .average port charges for a 72 hours' stay, at any one of the five main Australian ports was £432., while in New Zealand the similar cost is !52.8,8v further stated Mr Jessep the average.., time occupied on the Ausr traliau coast is quite as great as in New Zealand. of ports vis--1 by byejseag j steamers lin New

Jgealanji. is six tne avera S e " /,e|argft for-: a veß3elof the aforemen- ■■ tipned tonnage, for a 72 hours' stay '""' ■ ',..: ?Dunedln ; £545, arid tytteltbn £447. '• i is a- striking commentary," remarked Mr Jessep, "on the effects ■* of-i concentration that the port , . i,charges; att each of the principal .-ports should in every case be higher than the average port charge for . -New Zealand. It is not the number ' Qf> ports we have in New Zeaand,

but the amounts of produce we ship :, that really counts. Production will II not be, increased by endeavouring * f-to concentrate Shipments at the [| four main ports; in \ fact, it is utterJ ly impracticable." : > . >. 1.'....-'' :i 1