PRODUCE AND FREIGHTAGE.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14349, 8 May 1912, Page 3

PRODUCE AND FREIGHTAGE.

"SHORTAGE IN" CAIICO SPACE. ACTION BY HON. T. BUXTON.

There appears to bo a rather serious, shortage in :tho : amount- of cargo, spaco available for tho export of the produce of the Dominion. The."shortage is being seriously' felt in some quarters, and it is hoped that action will be taken, either, by private firms or tho' Government, to bring about a change. The Hon. T. Buxton, M.1 , , for Temuka, and Minister for Industries and Commerce, informed a "Press" reporter yesterday that ho had sent the following telegram to tho Prime Minister: —"The great difficulty in getting freightage for our grain and produce shipment to London and other markets is tho ono great drawback to our producers securing the best results that have been possiblo for years. We have tho produce tho world's markets are asking for. Could you not endeavour to induce shipping facilities to be given from outside traders? -1 trust you will givo this consideration, as it is of vital importance* to.our producers to bo able to reach tho markets that require- our produce." Mr JJuxton said that on a previous occasion he had asked Sir Joseph Ward to do something in tho direction indicated, and Sir Joseph Ward opened up negotiations. Tho result was that in a short time offers of space camo along, and tho farmers were able to get the stuff away. It frequently happened that tramp steamers could be called in to meet necessities, if a sufficiency oF cargo was offering. Mr Mackenzie had replied that he would' first see what tho local shipping firms were ablo to do in the near future. When ho had that information ho would tako tho whole matter into consideration, and make further enquiries if necessary. Mr Buxton added that tho matter was of tho greatest importance. The farmers wanted to get their produce to tho markets which were asking for it. At present, wool and mutton were getting tho preference, and grain and produce were being shut out. The London market was all right just now, and tho producers naturally wished to get tho bonefit of that condition of affairs. Mr Buxton also stated that somo of the difficulties in the way of exporting potatoes to Australia were being removed. Tho Commonwealth required a certificate from the grower that Ins land had been free from blight or disease for twelve months, and also that the exporter should attach a certificate from an inspector of orchard pests. The number of those inspectors was very small, and it was impossible for them to attend all tho ports. Tho difficulty had been overcome by appointing tho graders at the different ports inspectors under the Orchards Pests' Act, and they would bo ablo to give tho necessary certificates. The graders would bo gazetted inspectors from Thursday next. In tho meantime the orchard pests' inspector was acting at Timartt and Oaroani. The other trouble to bo overcome was to get the Commonwealth to waive tho certificate from tho grower. Farmers left their potatoes at stores without any distinguishing labels, and it was impossible for tho merchants to say now where any particular lots came from. ■ Ho (Mr Buxton) had sucreested that the Prime Minister should endenvour to arrange that tho Commonwealth should accept the inspector's certificate, that cho potatoes were freo from blight or disease*, as sufficient. If this were done, New Zealand would find an outlet for its potato crop.