§ 4. Mr. WADDINGTONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the competition for freights from British to South African ports and that non-conference rates on cotton goods are lower than the 80s. per measurement ton charged by the conference lines; that exporters are threatened by the conference lines with a restriction of shipping facilities if they ship any goods by the non-conference line; and will he have inquiry made by the Imperial Shipping Committee with a view to secure that British goods shall be exported at the lowest rates of freight obtainable without exporters being interfered with by the conference lines?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERMy attention has been called to the competition for freight from British to South African ports. I understand that the present tariff rates of the conference lines have been agreed between an association representing the majority of regular shippers from this country to South Africa and the conference lines, and that arrangements have been made under which shippers by the conference lines will be placed in a position of equality with shippers who have obtained low rates elsewhere. I am not aware that the conference lines have threatened exporters with the restriction of facilities if they ship by a non-conference line. As at present advised, I do not think it necessary to refer the matter to the Imperial Shipping Committee.
§ Mr. WADDINGTONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Conference Lines have just issued a circular in which they state that they will reduce the freight from 80s. to 30s. so long as the Non-Conference lines are running, but that when the Non-Conference Lines cease to run, they will automatically go 1805 back to 80s.; and does the right hon. Gentleman think that is a fair way in which to treat the British exporter?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERIt is rather difficult to deal with a question like that within the compass of a Parliamentary answer, but the hon. Gentleman will see that I state in my answer that arrangements have been made under which shippers by the Conference Lines will be placed in a position of equality with the shippers who are shipping by the Non-Conference Lines. I think he is aware that the rates of the Conference Lines were—I think I am right in saying so—settled between the Conference Lines and the association which represents the majority of the shippers.
§ Mr. WADDINGTONIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the particular association representing the merchants is non-representative of the manufacturers and producers, and that the difficulty is that the producers are suffering; and is he further aware that in the particular case of the South African freights the difference between the Non-Conference rate and the Conference rate on cotton piece goods is equivalent to 10 per cent. on both spinners' and weavers' wages?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI am not quite sure that I can carry the whole of that Supplementary Question in my head, but I think the deduction to be drawn from it is that at the present moment there is an advantage accruing to the shipper by reason of somebody else having cut into the business.
§ Mr. A. V. ALEXANDERIn view of the threat of intimidation referred to by the hon. Member, does not the President of the Board of Trade now think it time to legislate against combines of this sort?