The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1913-10-16

trast to railways. for when trucks
were loaded. length OF haul had but
little effect on cost of service.
Taking London and New York as
the typical European and American
ports" he said "the markets OF the
world fall into three classes-(D
Countries in close proximity to the
canal: here the effect will be greatest
and. in many cases, the use OF the
canal a necessity. ~ Australasia and
the Far East AT present there Is
choice of routes to these markets;
Panama will offer another alternative.
| (3) Ports not directly affected.
Class 2 Is receiving most attention
from those estimating the effects on
world trade. There is parallel equi-
distant from London via Suez, and
from New York via Panama. On the
South Coast of Australia this is Port
Lincoln, Adelaide being the nearest
| Va
Japan will continue to be nearer Lon
don, g. g., Manila will be 1000 miles
nearer. But all Japanese and New
Zealand ports and all Australian ports
east of Adelaide will be nearer New
York. II it costs g. to transport one
ton Of goods 900 miles, distance saw
ed will give American manufacturers
an advantage of from Is. to rs. cd. per
ton on all goods supplied to ports be-
tween Melbourne and Wellington, N.
II.
Tolls-Panama differs from Suez
here Suez had an immediate monop-
oily; with Panama there is in many In
stances a choice of routes and high
tolls will defect tonnage.
"Freights.-To benefit American
shipping freight must be available
both out and home To benefit Ameri-
, can manufacturers freights must be
low. At present Europe supplies Aus
tralasia with manufactured goods, and
the shipping goes via Suez. This
route gives a maximum of trading
possibilities and great facilities for
coalng. The Cape route, too. offers
to fully loaded steamers the advan-
tage of cheap bunker coal. For the
homeward voyage from Australasia
a partly loaded steamer goes via the
Horn to pick up cargo at ports like
Montevideo. The canal would not at
tract these ships. When Panama is
open will all-round- the world services
be organized? Great Britain Is in 4
better position to do this than any
other country. The rumors current
recently that an existing shipping
combine was trying to arrange an
amalgamation with one of the Oldest
far eastern shipping companies were
probably due to the hope of being
able to commence such a service. hav-
ing some of the chief trades of the
world as tributaries, from the mo-
ment that Panama Is available. Am
erica hopes to open up new markets
e. g., wool. This now concentrates
at London, but there Is tendency
towards decentralization. and IL Am
erica develops the wool industry, she
will get wool market without neces
sarily constructing Panama Canal
Fuel Stations.-This will be one oil
the decisive factors, and lead to the
keenest commercial rivalry The Am
ercan government are planning TO
supply good coal at either end of the
canal at 19s per ton. The English
coal on the Suez route Is at present
much dearer; to maintain the Sue7
route in its integrity the supply OF
cheaper coal is a necessity. When oil
replaces coal the British Empire re
sources will be ample to maintain our
commercial position, but this must
not in the meantime be placed in
jeopardy, or disaster may ensue.
Insurance rates-will probably be
the same on both routes.
1.-THE Political Factor.--The working
of the Imperial ideal in Great Britain.
America and Germany should be not
ed.
Preferences granted by the Domin-
ions have materially assisted British
trade. The possession Of the Philip
pines has Displaced Spain from the
position of chief trader there In ia
vor of America. The Importance of
this factor can be traced in the case
Of Japan and China, when settled
government comes, will be another
notable instance.
Rates of Exchange.-The Far East
has a silver, Europe and America
gold standard. Rates Of exchange at
feet trading relations. The whole
question should be carefully studied
About seven years ago, when a Chi