29
PUBLIC
། ། ། ། ༔།
RECORD OFFICE
C.O.
Reference :-
Paragraph 4.
IV. So far as can be ascertained, there is no preference shown in New Zealand to foreign goods, merchants, or agents, by lines of shipping, but the foregoing infor- mation appears to indicate that a decided preference in the matter of freight is obtained by shippers of foreigu goods on the Continent as against British shippers of the same goods.
V. The value of goods exported from New Zealand greatly exceeds the value of imports. For 1898 the figures are as follows
Imports, 8,230,6001. (includes 19,1911. specie). Exports, 10,517,9551. (includes 68,1171. specie).
There is, therefore, a larger demand for tonnage outwards than can be supplied by vessels bringing cargo to New Zealand. This necessitates ressels coming from Australia and elsewhere either in ballast or partially loaded, and hence a tendency exists adverse to low freights as far as the export trade of this Colony is concerned.
The same cause operates against the Colony in the event of a sudden demand for produce in a country or colony with which this Colony is not in direct communication by a regular steam service. New lines have opened up regular communication between Australia and Africa, India, China, Japan and elsewhere, but in the event of a sudden demand in any of these places for some commodity which New Zealand can supply, the interests of Australian shippers become paramount, and it is extremely difficult for New Zealand producers to get reasonable freights.
As regards exports from New Zealand, the combination of the shipping companies before referred to has had a tendency to keep up freights. But latterly the fear of organised competition has resulted in considerable reductions, and at present it can scarcely be said that the partial monopoly weighs heavily on the exporters in this Colony. At the present time the rate of freight from New Zealand to the United Kingdom is less than that from Australia to the United Kingdom owing to a temporary shortage of shipping in Australia, as well as to the special reduction in New Zealand before referred to.
As regards exports from the United Kingdom to New Zealand, the evidence of preference in favour of foreign exporters to which attention has been drawn, seems to show that the practical monopoly established by these companies is an advan- tageous basis for the formation of a combination with foreign agents, and that the general result is detrimental to the interests of British trade with the Colonies. regret, however, that I am unable at present to suggest any way of neutralising such results.
Referring to the last paragraph of the despatch there is nothing in the foregoing remarks requiring to be treated confidentially.
10.3.1900.
W. T. GLASGOW,
C.
Secretary and Inspector,
Department of Trade and Custonis.
STATEMENT showing RATES of FREIGHT on the following Principal Items of IMPORTS from LONDON to NEW ZEALAND and HAMBURG to NEW ZEALAND respectively.
Item.
Rate from London to New Zealand.
Rate from Hamburg to New Zealand.
APPENDIX E.
CIRCULAR.
The Peninsular and Oriental Company.
The Managing Directors of the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company have issued the following circular :—
To those exporters of manufactured goods shipped from the United Kingdom or Antwerp to the Straits Settlements, Hong Kong, China, and Japan, who, from January 1st to June 30th, 1900, may find it to their interest to confine their shipments during that period to steamers belonging to the P. and O.S.N. Company, we shall be happy to allow a rebate of 5 per cent. on the freights contributed. To those who on December 31st, 1900, have found it to their interest to confine their shipments during the whole twelve months to the said vessels, we will allow a further 5 per cent. on freights contributed up to June 30th 1900, and 10 per cent. on those from that date to December 31st, 1900. Until further notice shipments made by the 0.S.S., M.M., N.D.L., Glen, Shire, Ben, Mutual, and Mogul Companies to the Straits, Hong Kong, China, and Japan; by the Nippon Yusen Kaisha to the Straits, Hong Kong, and Japan; shipments of pig iron to Japan by the Hamburg- America Line; shipments from Antwerp by the East Asiatic Line of Copenhagen and the Hamburg-America Line; and by the Compagnia Transatlantic Line (Larrinaga & Co., agents) of general cargo to the Straits Settlements will not invalidate claims for the above. Shipments by mail line, under the auspices of the Belgian Government, would not invalidate claims to above rebates. Exporters applying for returns, which will be payable at this office on and after the said June 30th and December 31st, respectively, will have to fill and sign a form.
APPENDIX F.
RESOLUTION OF Legislative COUNCIL OF THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.
HON. MR. PEACOCK moved:-"That the attention of Government be directed to the -present monopoly of the entire shipping trade between this Colony and Europe, which appears to be mainly owing to the large subsidy paid to the two mail steam- ship companies under the postal contract; that in consequence a higher rate of freight for goods outwards and produce homewards maintained than would be the case with open competition or free trade; that an increase in the rate of freight hitherto obtaining has recently been made; that rates of freight to foreign or other South African Colonial Ports--which are geographically more distant-are more favourable or even lower than to ports within the Colony, to the loss and injury of the Government railways and the taxpayers of this Colony. That the Executive be requested to use their influence with the said mail companies, either through the postal contract or by any other means within its powers, to remedy such abuses as are and may arise under the said monopoly."
$
Apparel and slops
50. per ton measurement
Bicycles
46x. 2d. 40s.
*
91
Candles
345.
"
11
Carpeting and draggeting
40F.
11
*
-
China, porcelain, &c.
Drapery
Fancy goods
Iron and steel, pig bar, sheet, bolt
Iron and steel, galvanized
Iron and steel, wire, nails, staples Iron and steel wire netting
408.
"
13
40s.
"
19
40s.
*
15
20, per ton weight
253.
26. 11d. per ton weight. 298. 1d.
20s,
19
19
11
"
31
253.
11
"
11
Machinery and machines -
358. per ton measurement 35..
30s. 6d. per ton measurement.
408.
11
19
99
Paints
27. 6d.
34s.
11
"
11
+
Pianos
50s.
36s. 11d.
17
JT
11
•
Spirits
15.
40a.
"
11
33
31
Geneva, 34r.
Tools
50s.
11
40s. per ton measurement.
Wines
45$.
40a.
"
11
Woollen piece goods
50s.
40s.
11
"
17
ห
11
11
APPENDIX G.
RESOLUTIONS of LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NATAL, July 1899.
(a) That, in the opinion of this House, the continuance of the combination known
as the Shipping Ring is inimical to the best interests of South Africa.
(b) That, in view of the approaching termination of the mail contract, this House is of opinion that the Government of this Colony should endeavour to combine with
the Government of the Cape Colony, and with the other Governments concerned, to secure an amelioration of the present system of freight charges.
•885
17 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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