OVERSEA FREIGHTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 139, 12 June 1905, Page 6

OVERSEA FREIGHTS.

MR. CARROLL INTERVIEWED. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) GISBORNE. Saturday. The Hon. J. Carroll, Native Minister, was present at a meeting of the Farmers' Union to-day. when various subjects were brought under his notice. The chief question was that of oversea freights. The chairman, Mr. W. D. Lysnar (who is also director of the Gisborne Farmers' Freezing Company and proprietor of the Ukitu Dairy Factory), referred to the Premier's declaration on the subject. He said the present service to tho north of England, via South Africa, was too long, and it would be better to give a substantial grant for a direct service to the north of England and London as well. The diffidence \n freights between New Zealand and Australia amounted to id a lb on frozen meat, or 1/2 a head. Australia last year only exported 1,000,----000 sheep, while New Zealand put out 4,000,000, and there were ten lines taking Australia's produce against three here. It wa-? necessary for the Government to assist shippers. If the service suggested was obtained, it would have meant a saving last year on the Gisborne Freezing Works alone of £ 13,000. The £30,000 subsidy given by the Government to the Home service was very small compared with the benefits derivable. To show the earnestness of those in this district, the speaker had been able to offer to one line capable of putting on 12 ships a guarantee of 45.000 sheep a year. He desired to get NewZealand produce through the Suez Canal, arid so by the quickest route. Mr. Clark, who. while at Home, had gone thoroughly into the matter, and Mr. Caeser, representing the Kia Ora Butter Company, endorsed the chairman's remarks. Mr. Carroll said the subject had been under the consideration of the Government for some time. The Premier had now declared that the time had come to obtain cheaper freights for producers. New Zealand was essentially a producing country, and any project such as that brought forward must enlist sympathy of all concerned. He would do all he could to further the proposal. He would lay the proposals before the Government. The matter required thinking out.