TBAN&ACTIO^S OF SECTION F. 909 



under the control of Rings or Conferences. Compared with Bombay, the rate is 

 proportionately 7s. 8d. per ton higher than it should be. 



Straits Markets. — Shipping i'rom Manchester costs 48s. per ton ; from Ham- 

 burg, 22s. 6d. per ton ; paid extra by Manchester shippers, 25s. 6d. per ton. 



China and Japan. — Rates to these markets have gradually become dearer in 

 consequence of tlie powerful Conference controlling them. Manchester shippers 

 are at a serious disadvantage as compared with producers of cotton goods on the 

 Continent and the United States : — Freight from Liverpool, 52s. 3d. per ton ; 

 from Hamburg, 25s. per ton ; from New York, 25s. per ton. 



Taking the tonnage to China and Japan, the iigures show that Manchester 

 pays 117,000/. more per annum for freight than would be required if the goods 

 were shipped either from Hamburg or New York. 



The question is of paramount importance to manufacturers, for high freights 

 touch them more closely than any other party to the transaction. 



Subsidies.- — An examination of the circumstances in connection with the obliga- 

 tions imposed on steamship companies who receive subsidies for carrying mails 

 shows that they can have little influence on the question of freights. 



In view of all the facts, it is strange that the agitation against shipping rings 

 is neither widespread nor well organised. 



The chief difficulties may be stated under three heads : — 



1st. Shippers are under the thraldom of the rebate system, and sums amounting 

 to hundreds and thousands of pounds would have to be sacrificed if they failed to 

 comply with the terms laid down by the Conference lines. 



2nd. Many shipping firms, and especially the larger ones, represent the different 

 steamship companies in foreign ports, and are quiescent from interested motives. 



3rd. The greatest difficulty is to be found in the objection which shippers 

 generally have to take common or united action on any matter affecting their 

 interest. This, in turn, is explained by the almost fierce spirit of independe?ice 

 which has always characterised Manchester shippers as a body, and which in the 

 past has produced satisfactory results. It has already been described by the word 

 'individualism,' and is sometimes mistaken for jealousy by those not conversant 

 with the facts. 



It is folly to adhere any longer to individualism as a working principle. Com- 

 binations are the order of the day, and it is futile to attack shipping rings unless 

 similar methods are adopted. A Shippers' Federation is suggested, to receive on 

 behalf of the members all rebates and returns. This may appear a small matter, 

 but it is difficult to find an object on which shippers can unite. The expense of 

 such an organisation should not be great. Manchester has spent 15,000,000/. on 

 her Ship Canal, and the fruits of that enormous sacrifice are practically wasted, 

 except as regards Bombay, by the action of shipping rings in preventing steamers 

 from making use of the water-way. 



Bombay natives succeeded in defeating shipowners' combinations in 1881, and 

 similar tactics could be adopted in other markets if shippers would unite. The 

 danger to Manchester shippers is that importers on the other side may take the 

 matter out of their hands. A saving of 20s. per ton appeals to the intelligence of 

 the humblest trader everywhere. Once show him how it can be accomplished, 

 and unity of action makes it possible. 



6. The Effect of Sugar Bounties. By Geo. E. Davies. 



{a) On British Sugar-Bejining. — 1. Position up to 1884. 2. Fall m prices. 

 3. Comparison between 1884 and 1896. 4. Decrease in output. 5. Increase in 

 German refining. 6. And its effect upon prices. 7. German bounties. 

 8. Bounties and British refiners. 9. The advantage to Germany. 10. Closing 

 of some British refineries. 11. Advantages of superior methods. 12. Inferiority 

 of partial turnout. 13. Some British refiners fail. 14. While others succeed. 

 15. Improvements caused by competition. 16. Official returns misleading. 

 17. French and German bounties. 



(6) On the Confectionery Trade. — 1. Development of the trade. 2. Capital 



