Freights Up
p. 43 · Read in the full issue
20 Per Cent. Above Pre-War
FREIGHT rates on ships plying be tween Australia and Papua, New Guinea and Norfolk Island, and be tween ports in those territories, were in creased on October 2, under permission from the Commonwealth Prices Commis sioner, to be 20 per cent, above the rates ruling immediately before the outbreak of war. But if the ships are less than 500 tons gross, plying between these terri tories, the rate must not be more than 12! per cent, above pre-war rates.
Immediately after the outbreak of war, in September, .1939. the shipping com panies raised freights by 20 per cent., but the Commonwealth authority, after an examination, reduced the increase to 10 per cent, on pre-war rates —and it re mained at this until October 2.
The reasons given for the recent in crease are, first, that war risks insurance now is considerablv heavier; there have been substantial rises in the cost of oil fuel and coal; there have been rises in wages; and there have been increased costs due to the vessels having to steam over long routes under official direction.