SHIPPING FREIGHTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 105, Issue 17613, 18 January 1929, Page 7

SHIPPING FREIGHTS.

A PLEASANT SURPRISE. WELL-KEPT SECRET. LANCASHIRE DISAPPOINTED. 'By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian Press Association). LONDON, Jan. 16. Shippers to Australia received a pleasant surprise this morning when they learnt that the increase in shipping freights had been deferred. The shipowners arrived at this decision last night, but maintained extreme secrecy in order to allow Mr Bruce the satisfaction of announcing the good news and it was only this morning that the brokers’ clerks received instructions to work on the old schedule rates. Almost simultaneously there arrived a prtss cablegram from Sydney announcing the news and the proi posed conference. Shippers cordially welcomed the deferment, and reciprocate Mr Bruce’s hope that a way may be found to render the increase unnecessary. Meanwhile the most disappointed people are a number of Lancashire shippers. They have been hustling frantically ever j since the Increase was announced to get parcels of fine goods aboard the steamer Banffshire leaving Manchester to-morrow, two days before the increase should have commenced. The Australian Merchants’ Committee had a conference, the tone of which is optimistic, some expressing the opinion that there will be no increases, but rather reductions. MAY BE AVERTED. MERCHANTS CONFIDENT. (By Telegraph—'Press Assn—copyright.) (Australian Press Association.) LONDON, Jan. 16, It is understood that two leading representatives of the shipowners will proceed to Australia for Mr Bruce’s conference. The names have not yet been decided. , The merchants are confident that . the increase will be averted.