NEW SHIPPING COMPANY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19509, 8 June 1933, Page 12

NEW SHIPPING COMPANY

LOWER FREIGHT PROPOSALS. •’HERALD” COMMENTS. (Contributed.) In an editorial in its issue of May 25th, 1933, the "N.Z. Herald” gave an interesting sidelight on the recently announced intention of the Blue Star Line to make a bid for a share of the cargoes controlled by the N.Z. Dairy Control Board and the Meat Producers’ Board. In the article the "Herald” states:— "The point of immediate interest to New Zealand farmers and importers is that rivalry in the shipping world opens the prospect of an easement in the heavy freight burden which the counry is . carrying.” *

Such a clear statement of the benefits that would immediately accrue I from the operations of a regular serj vice for the carriage of freight between ' here and England, needs little additional comment other than to say that this Company cannot operate without definite support from the Control Boards whose representatives are at present in London negotiating renewals of the contracts with the Conference boats. Regarding these representatives, the “Herald” adds:— "And it will be their duty to see that no possible chance of advantage is lost ... It is not known whether a. contract for the whole of the cargo the Boards control is proposed, but it might be in the best interests of New Zealand if tenders were invited for part as well as the whole. Should the Conference boats have to share the trade with those of the Blue Star Line there would be constant competition both ways, and this would be all to the good of the country. The gain would not be in freight rates alone. There would be keen contest in the matter of the efficient handling of produce. Ship would strive against ship to deliver its cargo in better condition. There would be no risk of inadequate supervision, at any stage of the way. At best New Zealand must pay some penalty for distance and for the necessity of vessels gathering cargo round the coast. Further, until the import trade revives the cost of the number of outward voyages in ballast must be borne. But these are but added reasons for securing the full fruits of shipping competition.”