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"would otherwise go to other flags".

"I am unbiassed in these opinions as none

"of the lines represented by me are members of any

"combination".

In conclusion I think it may be safely

assumed that had any of the numerous Shipping Conferences, which

are interested in the Far Eastern trade acted in an arbitrary

manner or in any way handicapped or checked the free development

of trade the Committee would have received far more protest

than those contained in the above three extracts against a

system which has for many years been almost universal in the

varicus branches of shipping trade centering in this Colony.

The fact that so few firms have even

replied to the circular appears to this Committee to point

clearly to the fact that no serious complaint can be raised

against the working of the Conferences in this part of the

World.

I have etc.,

(Sd.) E. A. Hewett, Chairman.

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