STATE SHIP-OWNING.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16797, 22 July 1920, Page 6

STATE SHIP-OWNING.

AUSTRALIA "BEING SQUEEZED. By Telegraph—PiAss Assn.—Copyright. MELBOURNE, July 21. At the final session of the Premiers’ Conference, Mr. Hughes created a sensation by declining to prolong the Federal wheat pool, declaring that each State must look after its own producers in. the coming harvest. This action is apparently the outcome of a conflict between the Commonwealth Line steamers and the shipping combine, which Mr Hughes informed the conference was trying to drive the Federal Lino off the sons. He stated the fight is being waged on lines,which entirely deprived the Federal steamers' of back loading to Australia. In view of this, the States will be in'a precarious position when shifting the next harvest, as it is inferred the combine will refuse to handle any of the-now crop unless giver, the transport of the whole, and the Federal steamers will only be able to move a small part. Tho State Ministers of Agriculture will meet on Friday to consider the mat-ter.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assa.