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informed that if the expression "range" has been used in preliminary negotiations, it is always translated into the
names of particular ports when it comes to the drawing up of the Charter Party. Thus there is no formal recognition of the term by the Committee of the Baltic Exchange or by any other authoritative body whom we might approach. As a fact, the term is, for the reason which I gave in the previous paragraph of this letter, practically falling out of use. The whole tendency to-day is to name a definite port and to give no option so far as loading is concerned, although options for unloading on the European side still continue.
Sir Alexander Gibb has given a very high character to your port as now improved, and with the present surplus of shipping available for charter, there can be no doubt that a shipper on your side desirous of using the port of Halifax (St.John) could obtain competitive offers of ships. In this connection, I am informed that, not long ago, two ships left Montreal for Europe in ballast because no cargoes were offering at a rate which would pay the shipowner.
Should the pressure for charters increase once more and should the use of options of alternative ports of shipment return to favour, there is no reason whatever why agents employed on the Baltic Exchange by Canadian principals should not add Halifax (St.John) to their list of ports when negotiating for charters.
Yours faithfully,
(igned) H.J. MACKINDER
Chairman.
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