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