SHIPPING POSITION

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 197, 20 August 1943, Page 3

SHIPPING POSITION

Space For All Available Produce N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent Rec. 12t30 p.m. LONDON, Aug. 19. The mastering of U-boats in the Atlantic and the consequent reduced sinkings of shipping, together with the ever-mounting Allied shipbuilding output, spell good news for the New Zealand farmer. It mean's that the necessary refrigerated space will be available for his produce to be shipped to Britain. "We have now reached the stage where the United Kingdom can take all the meat New Zealand can produce for the duration of the war and for a reasonable pei-iod afterwards," it is stated. This is very different from the earlier stages of the war when New Zealand had to consider restricting output to avoid surplus stocks accumulating owing to lack of shipping. This has improved the position also of apples, butter and cheese, and if the present naval conditions continue it seems likely that the chief limiting influence on what New Zealand can send to Britain will be labotir and fertilisers. Dried Meat Not Affected The position of dried meat will not be affected because New Zealand's present production of 27,500 tons annually has been requisitioned by the War Office. Specially packed boneless beef for the Admiralty has proved so popular that New Zealand is now sending 150 tons a month instead of 100 tons. Regarding butter, New Zealand remains Britains chief overseas supplier, sending at least two-thirds of all imported butter. It is estimated that New Zealand is sending Britain about one-quarter less butter than she did before the war, but cheese export has risen by about 20,000 tons.