H.—l7a

1903. NEW ZEALAND.

FREIGHT ON BUTTER TO UNITED KINGDOM (COPIES OF CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO).

Laid on the Table of the House of Representatives by Leave.

16th September, 1903. Sik, — Freight on Butter to the United Kingdom. 1 have the honour to bring under your notice the statement that the Victorian Minister for Agriculture has arranged with the White Star Line of steamers to carry butter from Melbourne to London and Liverpool at a freight of Jd. per pound. It is a matter of great importance to this colony and the Government that Victoria should not have advantages over JStew Zealand either in the matter of freight on butter or in having an extra port of discharge (Liverpool). Under these circumstances I shall be glad to know whether your company proposes to take any steps to establish a similar reduction in freight on butter from New Zealand to London, or on what lines you would be prepared to entertain proposals to secure such an end. I am addressing a similar letter to this to the Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company, as I understand you co-operate with that company in this matter. I have, &c, J. G. Ward, Minister of Industries and Commerce. The Manager, New Zealand Shipping Company, Christchurch.

16th September, 1903. Sm, — Freight on Butter to the United Kingdom. I have the honour to bring under your notice the statement that the Victorian Minister for Agriculture has arranged with the White Star Line of steamers to carry butter from Melbourne to London and' Liverpool at a freight of |d. per pound. It is a matter of great importance to this colony and the Government that Victoria should not have advantages over New Zealand either in the matter of freight on butter or in having an extra port of discharge (Liverpool). Under these circumstances I shall be glad to know whether your company proposes to take any steps to establish a similar reduction in freight on butter from New Zealand to London, or on what lines you would be prepared to entertain proposals to secure such an end. I am addressing a similar letter to this to the manager of the New Zealand Shipping Company, as I understand you co-operate with that company in this matter. I have, &c, J. G. Waed, Minister of Industries and Commerce. The Manager, Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company (Limited), Care of Messrs. Levin and Co., Wellington.

18th September, 1903. Sib, — Freight on Butter to the United Kingdom. I have the honour to bring under your notice the statement that the Victorian Minister for Agriculture has arranged with the White Star Line of steamers to carry butter from Melbourne to London and Liverpool at a freight of -J-d. per pound. It is a matter of great importance to this colony and the Government that Victoria should not have advantages over New Zealand either in the matter of freight on butter or in having an extra port of discharge (Liverpool). Under these circumstances I shall be glad to know whether your company proposes to take any steps to establish a similar reduction in freight on butter from New Zealand to London, or on what lines you would be prepared to entertain proposals to secure such an end.