MORE SHIPS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2752, 22 April 1916, Page 7

MORE SHIPS

GOOD NEWS CONFIRMED. The news that two Australian transportsl would come'to New Zealand ports lo load frozen meat during May is confirmed by a telegram received 'by the Prime Minister from Senator tPearce, Acting-Prime Minister of the Commonwealth. The telegram is as follows:— "Referring to your telegram of April 10, the Secretary of State for the Colonies has Jieen informed ' that the Australian transports Borda and Afric, after refitting required, and bunkering in Australia, will be dispatched immediately to Wellington to load frozen meat. .It is desired that the utmost dispatch may be given in New Zealand. Mr. Massey stated 'in explanation of j the telegram that the steamers would, not load wholly at Wellington, but ; would go also to other ports. They i would, however, load only with beef and ! mutton, first .preference being given to * beef. They would take no dairy pro- ; duce. "These ships," Mr. Massey continued, "are being sent partly in re- ' sponse to a request I made after the ' sccidonts to the Matatua and the E-angi- S tira. I pointed out that owing to short- j ago of tonnage for May,, very serious loss and inconvenience would result. Not only would producers suffer, but a. quantity of supplies for troops might be lost. In view of this, t asked the '- Imperial Board of/Trade to supply, us witli other ships if* possible; 'This is now being done. I think that with these two sliips the position in May will be fairly well met. I don't think'there - wijl be quite enough space, but the two J ships additional will make a great deal J of difference, and things will bo'better than I expected." " . £