Freights In Papua

Letter to the Editor.

THE patriotic protest made by Australian ship ping firms (P.I.M., November) against the successful competition of the N.D.L. Co. loses weight in face of the conditions which obtain when competition is removed.

Papua suffers from a shipping monopoly. And although it is possible to ship copra direct to Europe, consignments so shipped can only be carried in vessels chartered by the monopolists.

As a result, a rate of 105/- per ton is charged for freight, and a large proportion of the exchange increment is retained by the shipping firm. In addition, coastal freights, which are also largely controlled by the same firm, range from £1 to £4 per ton.

During the worst period of the slump the more fortunate producers in Papua were receiving 30/a ton to cover the cost of bags, production, and overheads; while those in more remote localities found the whole of the proceeds absorbed by coastal and overseas freights.

The shipping companies also plead for immunity from competition on the ground that foreign ship ping introduces foreign merchandise to compete with Australian products. In this connection it is interesting to note that one of the signatories to the appeal owns stores in Port Moresby, at which are offered for sale Japanese clothing, shoes, silks and sundries; American cars, foodstuffs, and toilet articles; tinned meats from Argentina, and steel goods from Germany.

I am etc.,

Copra Bug.

Pt. Moresby, 6/12/1934.