MR. NASH'S HOPES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 13, 16 January 1941, Page 9

MR. NASH'S HOPES.

PROBLEM OF STORAGE. (0.C.) CHRISTCHURCH, Wednesday. The extent of the reduction of imports of meat into the United Kingdom which was indicated by the British Minister of Food, Lord Woolton, in a cable message published yesterday, cannot yet be stated, but the New Zealand Government is conducting negotiations with the British Government and has asked for certain facilities in order to increase the amount of imports suggested, according to the Minister of Marketing, the Hon. W. Nash. In reply to a question how the curtailment would affect the producers of meat in the Dominion, the Minister said that extra cool stores were now under; construction to store the surplus meat until the restrictions were removed. The Government had undertaken to buy the whole of the producers' meat supply for the season, but this was at prices" free on board. It was possible that a charge would have to be made for the necessary storage because of the restrictions. There would have to be some discussion of this matter. Clauses in the Government's purchasing contract gave the right to claim something for storage. This right would probably have to be raised when there was over-storage of meat and extra stores had to be constructed. Mr. Nash said that similar negotiations about restrictions were being conducted in Australia as well as in New Zealand. "That is very likely," Mr. Nash said, when asked about Lord Woolton's statement that the restrictions would continue until the ships were no longer required in the Middle East. "I cannot discuss any other aspects of shipping, but the New Zealand Government has asked for certain facilities, so that the amount of meat suggested might be increased."