DOMINION'S TRADE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 203, 1 October 1914, Page 11

DOMINION'S TRADE.

NO NEED FOR ANXIETY. ENOUGH SHIPS AVAILABLE. PRIME MINISTER'S STATEMENT. [From our own Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, September 30. The Prime Minister (Right Hon. AV. F. Massey) made a statement in the House to-day with regard to the shipment of New Zealand produce to Great Britain during the next few months. He said that there was no cause for anxiety on the part of exporters, as the Government had made such arrangements that the producers of the Dominion would be able to get their goods as in any ordinary season. He wanted to place some information ' before the House with regard to the matter. Commencing with October, Mr Massey said that during this month of last year, three ships were required to carry the refrigerated cargo from the Dominion — butter, cheese, and frozen meat. This year there would also be three —the Buahine, Corinthic, and Pakeha. In November of last year, three were required, whereas this year there were * five at command —the Rotorua, Rakaia, Tainui, Zealandic, and Star of Scotland, all large ships. In December of last year five ships were needed, and this year five ships were available —the Turakina, lonic, Indrabarah, Tongariro, and Tokomaru. It would thus be seen •that no shortage of boats could occur before the end of the year. S\V Walter Buchanan" (Wairarapa): You have more boats than you had last year." Mr Massey said that of course a difficulty occurred owing to the withdrawal of tfie troopships necessary for the transport of the New Zealand and Australian forces, but he had sent a cablegram to the Home authorities asking them to release these vessels as soon as they were able to do so after the troops had" arrived in Great Britain. He had not the slightest doubt but that they -would do so. The ships—or some of them —might have to be brought back in ballast, as there was difficulty in getting cargo at Home at present for the Dominion. One of the ships which had, been expected to come out to the Dominion had been taken over by the Imperial authorities for the transport of frozen meat across the Channel for the use of the forces at the front. He had asked that this ship should be relieved at the earliest possible moment, and although' he had had no reply so far, he hoped that when it came it would be favourable. In January they would be in the thick of the season. Last year eighteen ships were required in January and February. At the present moment the Government had fourteen ships in- sight for these two months^ —eight belonging to the New Zealand Shipping Company, five to the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company, and one to the Commonwealth and Dominion line. There was also the possibility of three other vessels being available — the Indrapura, ludralema, and Makaxina. The last-named was now in London, waiting for cargo, which was hard to get. These vessels, along with the Muritai, would bring the total up to that required last year. "; There was also the probability that the transports would be back before they would be required'for the purpose «f i carrying cargo. He could not say exactly when these vessels would go, but he expected that they would be back in the Dominion by February. If this, were so—and it was a fair assumption —there would be no difficulty! at all.

He had made this statement in order that there should be no anxiety on the part of exporters. One company, which lie could not name, had informed hirne-r mot officially—that it had eight ships building, and had chartered three. So far as .the Government was concerned, everything had been done which it had been possible to do. There was no doubt that the trade of the country would be kept going, and there was not the slightest ground for anxiety. A BIG SEASON. 5 Sir- Joseph Ward said that everybody yvas anxious about this matter, and he hoped that the prediction the Prime Minister had made would turn out to lie correct. But he (Sir Joseph) doubted whether there would not be any difficulty about October. The season, it was was going to be a big one.

Government 'members: Not now—later on.

Sir Joseph Ward: I am expressing my own opinion. Hon. Mr Fisher: Oh, is that all? Sir Joseph Ward: Mr Speaker, it's about time some Ministers were taught manners. If I were the Prime Minister I would give my colleagues a lesson about being rude that they would not forget. '■ : An. Opposition member: They are like a-lot-of schoolboys. V ; ."IN THEDARK." Sir Joseph Ward continued that the freezing companies were expressing doubts about the ability to meet the space requirements, and they could not *l6 their work in the dark. Under the existing circumstances he doubted •whether the shipping companies, no matter how anxious they were, could say definitely what they could do. What was the reason of one. company building eight new refrigerated steamers? Was it not because under normal circumstances there was a shortage of space? ' Mr C. A. Wilkinson (Egmont): Well, why not make a practical suggestion? Opposition members: Oh, keep quiet. Sir Joseph Ward: I am speaking, of a difficulty that undoubtedly exists. I believe that some of the troopships, even now, should be dismantled, and replaced by ships without refrigerated *pacc. It is the most vital thing to this country that- refrigerated space should be available. It is necessary for the very existence of the country. The provision of refrigerator space on steamers saved this country from being strangled years ago—everybodj r knows that —and if it is interfered with it is a most serious thing.. ..He went on to say that he did not know, in spite of the Prime Minister's statement, where the exti*a ships were from. Even the British Government did not have tliem, for they -had .commandeered one of our ships to carry frozen produce across the English Channel to the troops iii France. He wanted this matter settled, and was anxious to help in it. The <*overnment must take strong action if there was going to be any difficulty. | Sir. Walter Buchanan, chairman of the Freights' Committee, pointed dut that in October this year they had four ships; while last year they liad only two.

Mr Myers: How many for September this year? Sir Walter Buchanan: Two, as com-

pared with four last year. I admit this most be taken into account. STRONG ACTION PROMISED. The Prime Minister said that the Government was prepared to take strong action. If necessary he would see that ships leaving with cargoes for New York Avere commandeered to take produce to the Old Country. Sir Joseph Ward: I believe you ought to do it now. Hon. James Allen: So do T. Sir Joseph AVard: The Mother Country ought to get preference every time. Mr Allen: Hear, hear. Mr Massey repeated the assertion that he would commandeer these ships if it were found necessary. Mr Hanan: Do it now. Mr Massey: If the hon. member were a business man, he wouldn't make such a remark. Mr Haiian: Are you a business man? Mr Massey: Yes, I am a business man. Mr Hanan: You should hear what people outside say about you. Mr Massey: At anyrate, I've always paid 20/- in the £. Mr Vigor Brown: It doesn't take a business man to do that. THREE ADDITIONAL STEAMERS. At the evening sitting the Prime Minister said that since the afternoon debate he had received information that three additional steamers would be available for the carriage of produce Home. These were the Kaikoura (New Zealand Shipping Co.), for October, Buteshire (New Zealand and African line), for November, a third (unnamed) for January, and one (possibly two) for February.