INDEBTEDNESS FROM 1900 TO 1913 149 
cargoes has, therefore, been calculated at 6 per cent., and at 
4-2 per cent. for outward freight. 
Even though it is prepared on the actual ‘make-up’ of im- 
ports, this is admittedly rather a slender basis upon which to 
build an estimate of the Australian bill for carriage inwards. 
It is believed, however, that it yields a fair estimate of the charge 
made ; and this belief has been confirmed by reference to many 
authorities who are acquainted with Australian shipping from 
various angles, either as accountants, executives, customs 
Tape XXIX 
Freight Payments by Australia on Imports 
Year. 
1901 
19502 
1903 
1904 
19056 
1908 
1907 
1908 
1909 
1910 
1911 
1912 
1913 
Recorded 
value of 
imports. 
£m. 
12-434 
10-676 
37-811 
37-021 
38-347 
44-745 
51-809 
19-799 
51-172 
50-014 
56-968 
78-169 
79-712 
if 
Estimated 
vercentage 
freight to 
cargo. 
[if 
Freight 
index. 
[Vv 
L000 
940 
330 
743 
352 
I31 
380 
381 
10 
0 
8 
3 
5958 
Wholesale 
price 
index 
0¢. Britain] 
Percentage 
freight 
charge to 
tmports. 
VI 
912 6-5 
909 6-2 
914 5:5 
p26 | 47 
921 5-5 
851 3-9 
000 59 
971 8:1 
982 5-1 
-026 6-2 
1032 6-7 
1084 6-8 
1099 7:2 
Total 
freight. 
£m. 
VII 
2-756 
2-523 
2-079 
1-739 
2-012 
2-638 
3-056 
3-038 
3-123 
3-720 
4-249 
5-318 
5.746 
IV. Estimated by the writer. 
V. Labour Dept. Board of Trade, Cost of Living Report. 
97. TIT x IV =~ V. 
officers, or statisticians. It is further confirmed in rather a 
remarkable way by the estimate for the post-war years, from 
incomparably better data, which is given in a later chapter. It 
also bears comparison with the estimate made by Viner for 
Canada for the year 1907. By an entirely different method he 
arrived at the figure of 3-6 per cent. for the shorter voyage and 
more competitive conditions of the Canadian trade. With one 
exception the authorities competent to compare the figures by 
actual experience were prepared to admit that this was approxi- 
mately the relation between the two cases. It was finally