Reply to (b) and (c).
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Conferences are formed for
the purpose of maintaining
rates for passengers and
cargo,
and are revised as
occasion requires to meet the
conditions of trade. This
purpose has been carried out
successfully, with the result
that freights are maintained
at a constant rate for all
Conference lines. I am inform-
-ed by the head of one of the
largest firms exporting cargo
from this Colony (unconnect-
-ed with any shipping inter-
-est) that he considers these
Conferences a great benefit
to trade, so long as they
continue to treat shippers
with the justice and fairness
which has hitherto character-
-ized their dealings.
(3). Are you aware of any cases in which
open or tacit combination among Shipping Compani-
-es has driven off independent lines or reduced
competition by forcing such lines to adhere to a
Conference or Ring of shipowners or to a common
tariff? If so, please state the circumstances.
I am not aware of any
instance of a line being
compelled to join a Confer-
-ence, but I remember a case
where a competing line
vigorously brought...