CO129-294 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [10-12] — Page 265

I have before me an invoice for Belgian cement of 1st. Natural quality, which is sold for 5/5 per barrel; similar quality in England is sold for 5/9 per barrel. The freight from Antwerp, including insurance is 15/9 nett per ton; the freight from an English port is 20/- per ton plus 10% primage or 22/-. It is evident that English cement could not compete against such adverse discrimination. The freight on Bar iron in a "Conference" steamer from Belgium is 12/6 per ton; from an English port about 18/-, on Iron girders, 19/- from Antwerp, 25/- from London. The rates are the same for all Eastern ports from Hongkong to Yokohama. The result of the combination will further be seen by a comparison with the rates to London and to New York. General merchandise from an English port costs 42/- per ton of 40 cubic feet plus 10% primage. From New York, which is 2000 miles further the freight is only 30/- per ton. Piece goods from Manchester cost 42/6 nett; from New York 20/-. Cotton goods 67/6 from Manchester, via London, and 25/- to 26/6 from New York, and so with all commodities, no wonder that some American commodities are rapidly displacing British in the Chinese markets.

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