Fiji Seeks Lower Freights said

Fares.

THE question of freights and passen ger fares between Fiji and Aus tralia and New Zealand was dis cussed at the annual meeting of the Suva Chamber of Commerce recently.

It was decided to urge upon the ship ping companies that, in view of special circumstances, some concessions should be granted.

The following report is taken from The Fiji Times: A report was read, in the shape of a draft letter, from the sub-committee appointed (the president, Major Joske, and Mr. A. H. Marlow) to the Union Steam Ship Company, pointing out the losses to shippers of bananas and the need of a reduction in freight, to say 2/6 per case, and also commenting on the unduly high ratio of freights for general goods from New Zealand and Sydney.

Mr. Lawlor suggested that a similar letter be written to the Matson Com pany.

Mr. M. Brodie said that 70 per cent, of the Sydney cargo was flour and sharps. He also pointed out that the passenger fares by the cargo boat (the Waipahi) were the same as had been charged by the Tofua. The fares and freights ought to be reduced.

As the drafted letter dealt largely with bananas, which did not affect Sydney, the committee was asked to re-draft the letter in two sections, one about bananas shipped to New Zealand and the other about general cargoes from Australia and New Zealand.