§ MR. WHITLEY (Halifax)To ask the Secretary to the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the freight for paper by the New Zealand Shipping Company from Rotterdam to New Zealand via London is 29s. per ton, whilst the freight for the same goods by the same line from London is 40s. per ton; whether he can state if this shipping company receives any subvention for the carrying of mails; whether any explanation can be offered of the fact that it costs less to send goods from London to Rotterdam, back again to London, and thence to New Zealand, than from London to New Zealand direct; whether he is aware that the difference represents over ten per cent, on the cost price of the cheaper kinds of paper; and whether he has instituted or will institute an inquiry into the effect of such discrimination on British trade.
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY TO THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. BONAR LAW, Glasgow, Blackfriars)(1) The Board of Trade, are informed by the New Zealand Shipping Company that the rate of freight on paper from London to 1122 New Zealand ranges from 28s. 9d. to 55s per ton according to quality, and that the rate from Rotterdam to New Zealand is as stated, viz., 29s. per ton. (2) The Board of Trade understand that the company receives no subvention for the carrying of mails, and the company regard this as placing them at a disadvantage as compared with German lines. (3) The Board of Trade are aware that freights from the United Kingdom to Australia direct are often higher than those from the United Kingdom via a Continental port. The reason is alleged to be that there is keener competition in the latter case. (4) I regret that the result of this competition is that the rates are lower from the Continent than from the United Kingdom, but I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by such an inquiry as is suggested by the hon. Member.