The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-06-06
.B|G ADVANCE IN
FREIGHT Rates.
Charges Between New York and
South Africa Have Been
Steadily Increased.
SHIPPERS MUCH ANNOYED
Announce That They Will
Charter Own Vessels to
Transport Goods.

WASHINGTON, D. c., June 5.-Consuli
Hollis, OF Laurence, Marquez. writes that
1t is a well known fact to all engaged In
South African trade that the freight rates
between New York and South and East
Africa have been steadily raised during
the past few months. until they now
stand at figures about Is per cent higher
than those Of six months ago. The con-
sui continues.
This increase in rates has been brought
about by the independent lines Il might
almost soy line. for there was really only
one independent lne) Joining the con
ference" which fixes the freight rates
between England and South Africa and
between New York and South Africa as
well.
The largo shippers OF American goods,
principally the agents OF the oil coinpa-
MES. have not taken kindly to those In
creaseE In freight rates, and It Is now
announced that they will In the future
ship all OF their own freight In their own
or chartered sailing vessels. More than
this, they arc offering to carry q limited
amount OF freight for outside parties Of
approximately the old stcatnship rates OF
O year ago. These people evidently mean
business, for they have already loaded
one largo sailing vessel at New York
with oil for South Africa and moro are to
follow. There Is no reason why this
sailing vessel service should not DO O.
success, as. barring few months In the
year when bad weather Is encountered
or tho cape and on tho Agulhas Banks.
tho voyage from New York to ports to the
asst OF Cape Town ought TO be made IN
from sixty to sixty-flve days. ! remem-
Der a small sailing vessel that made the
voyage rex. New York to Durham IN
fifty-four days.
Tho steamers from New York make
tho run out TO Cape Town In about thirty
days, but as they call at all the inter-
mediate ports on their way up the south-
east coast. they are generally about Sixty
days out from New York before they
arrive ut this port. Tho difference IN
time Is quite unimportant when compa req
with the difference in freight. 1t Is hoped
that this sailing vessel line Will receive
the cordial support OF oil American SNIP
pers OF large cons!gnments.
With regard to the conference iines,
already mentioned. at Is interesting TO
note that delegates from tho vnrlous
South African colonies have recently VS.
tied London and have had several I'm
portnnt meetings with the heads OF the
conference" lines, with q view to having
the South African freight rates reduced.
Tho latest cable reports at hand go 10
show that the delegates have practically
failed In their mission. The conference"
lines have refused to abolish their rcbnte
system, and have offered such untmpor-
tnnt reductions In their freight rates, from
twcnty-four to &thirty-six cents per ton
that they are quite unacceptable to the
delegates.
with regard to the rebate system, It
appears that, under the laws OF England,
as well as those OF the South African
colonies, the steamship companies have
a perfect right to grant or to withhold
rebates as they see At. Payments OF re-
bntes are always deferred for many
months. and the unfortunate shipper who
may happen to ship by any vessel outside
OF the conference" lines can thus be de-
privcd OF all OF his deferred rebates. and
with no chance OF being able to recover
them. even by suit Mt law.