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There are no other regular lines engaged in the European Trade. The China Mutual Steamship Company was started about 17 years ago on the lines of independent competition, but the Conference was too strong for them, and finally they joined the organisation. The steamers of the Conference lines bid for Continental traffic by carrying goods from foreign ports at lower rates than those granted to British exporters.
This I have heard explained by a statement that the large steamers now used could not secure a full cargo from England and are obliged to fill up with Continental cargo at lower rates, but on the other hand I am informed that even at the lower rates the Continental ports are given priority in shipments. The result is that many British commodities are being squeezed out of the Eastern markets. The Conference appoints secretaries at various centres of trade, who represent all the above lines.
3. To illustrate the effect of differential rates, I will take the case of cement, for which there is a large demand in China. English cement is cut out by Belgian, entirely on account of the difference in freight.