14
"invoice for Belgium cement of first natural "quality, which is sold for 5. 3d. per barrel. "Similar quality in England is sold for 58. 9d. per
Ex
14
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ca
barrel. The freight from Antwerp, including insurance, is 158. 9d. nett per ton; the freight from an English port is 20s. per ton plus 10 per cent. primage, or 228. It is evident that English cement could not compete against such adverse "discriminations. The freight on bar iron in a 'Conference' steamer from Belgium is 12s. 6d. per ton, from an English port about 188.; on iron girders, 198. from Antwerp, 258. from London. "General merchandise from an English port costs 428. per ton of 40 cubic feet, plus 10 per cent. primage. From New York, which is 2,000 miles further, the freight is only 30s. per ton.
Piece
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IC
46
goods from Manchester cost 428. 6d. nett, from "New York 208. Cotton goods, 578. 6d. from "Manchester viâ London, and 258. to 268. 6d. from "New York, and so with all commodities."
As to Straits Settlements, see Blue Book C. 8,449, page 276.
66
Australasia.
In the case of New Zealand the Secretary and Inspector of the Department of Trade and Customs has proved that " goods shipped on the "Continent for transhipment in London to New Zealand, by the steamers of the Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company and of the New Zealand Shipping Company, have a very considerable advantage over the same British goods shipped "in London, for New Zealand. There are a few exceptions, viz. iron goods, machinery, and paints." (See report and tabulated statement in Appendix D.)
แ
He also refers to the advantage enjoyed by shippers on the Continent through low freights arising from the subsidised lines to Australia."
There seems, however, to be some difference of opinion as to how far there are differential freights to Australia from the Continent. The New South Wales Report (page 4), says: "The large subsidies
41
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paid by their respective Governments to the French and German lines of shipping enable
"those lines to carry goods from Continental ports
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46
to this Colony at lower freight rates than are charged from British ports.
"}
It is stated by one firm that "the French and German mail-boats carry our goods at about 25 per cent. less than the Orient and P. & 0. steamers. (These are Soft Goods Warehouse- men, see enclosure 1.)
may
The reference to this point by the agent for & Co. at Adelaide is interesting, and be quoted in full :—
"No differential rates to our knowledge exist "between British and foreign goods from the same
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port. It was possible by indirect means during
"the American freight war to ship goods from Liverpool, but this can only be quoted as excep-
(
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16
tional, and has no particular bearing on the question in hand. Similarly, during the Cor- tinental freight war, it was possible to ship
"
15
"from Great Britain vid Hamburg, Bremen, or Antwerp, at less than the freight quoted for direct shipment."
64
In New South Wales two replies from boot and shoe importers and manufacturers and one from iron and hardware merchants refer to specially low rates from America, which are ascribed to temporary
causes.
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"
56
*
*
"
The New Zealand report states that: "A direct line of steamers from United States of America carries goods at about half the rate between the United Kingdom and New Zealand. This has given a great advantage to American producers as against British producers of the same articles. It is believed, however, that the low freights referred to cannot last, and that shortly an increase will be made. In the meantime, fresh lines of American goods are obtaining a footing in the New Zealand market, and this will
enhance the keenness of competition with British manufactures which already exists."
North America and West Indies.
No differential freights of this kind are reported from any American colony, with the possible excep tion of British Guiana, the Governor of which mentions that the inward rates from Amsterdam by the Dutch Royal Mail compare favourably with the rates from Southampton by the English Royal Mail steamers. There does not seem to be any agreement concerned.
iii. DIFFERENTIAL FREIGHTS ON GOODS LEAVING THE COLONY FOR FOREIGN PORTS AS COMPARED WITH BRITISH PORTS AT AN EQUAL OR LESS DISTANCE, OR FREIGHTS SO ARRANGED AS TO FAVOUR TRADE WITH FOREIGN AS COMPARED WITH TRADE WITH BRITISH PORTS.
There are few differential freights of this character. They are specifically stated to be absent by all the West African Colonies and by all other Colonies that refer to this query, except the Straits Settlements.
On the other hand, Canada considers that, if anything, there is an advantage to Great Britain, owing to the freight clause inserted in the contract with subsidized lines.
The report of the Collector of Customs for New South Wales says:-
"Freights from Colonial ports to the United Kingdom are usually more favourable than for shipments made to foreign ports."
The confidential report of
& Co. received through the Acting Governor of the Straits Settle- ments states, however, that trade with the United States has increased as compared to trade with the United Kingdom in consequence of lower freights. For instance :-
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Throughout 1897 the freight on tin was 128. 6d.
to New York, as against 27s. 6d. to London, and the usual freight between London and New York
is 108. to 12s. 6d. per ton.
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PUBLIC RECORD
OFFICE
Reference :-
C.O.885
17 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO