§ SIR CHARLES McLAREN (Leicestershire, Bosworth)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the representations of the Incorporated Federated Associations of Boot and Shoe Manufacturers of Great Britain and Ireland on the subject of differential shipping rates to South African ports, whereby shipping companies charge a rate per ton for the carriage of boots and shoes from British ports which is more than double the rate charged for the carriage of the same class of goods from New York direct to South Africa; and whether he will investigate the matter and take any action to redress the inequality complained of.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI have received a copy of a resolution passed by the Incorporated Federated Associations of Boot and Shoe Manufacturers of Great Britain and Ireland. The whole subject of freight charges to and from South Africa, including differential charges made from competing ports, 718 has for some time past engaged the attention of the Government at home. A Conference of the Colonial Governments was recently held to consider what steps should be taken to deal effectively with the question, and the Conference has not yet finally concluded its deliberations. The resolutions already adopted at the Conference are receiving the consideration of the authorities.