A WORD OF CAUTION

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3085, 16 May 1917, Page 4

A WORD OF CAUTION

The outlook for the farming community has been clouding over somewhat of late owing to the shortage of shipping, and in consequence the warning to farmers to act with caution issued by an official of the Auckland Farmers' Union is not out of place. For the first time since the war started New Zealand seems likely to feel the pinch of war .conditions in a direct and material way. The Dominion has shared in the loss and sorrow arising from the part its young manhood has played in the struggle, but in practically all other respects it has been a gainer through the abnormal demand created and high prices ruling for its products. Now our primary producers, on whoso prosperity the fortunes v of the whole country depends, arethreatoned.with a stoppage or a restriction of shipping space for exports which is liable to have serious and farreaching consequences. Unfortunately the situation is beyond the power of anyone here to remedy, nor can it be said that anyone in particular is to blame. It is not possible to obtain definite information on the subject, nor would it bo desirable to publish details if that were permissible; but the increasing toll made on vessels trading between the Motherland and New Zealand for service elsewhere is causing a serious glut at our refrigerating works and cold stores, for which there appears no immediate prospect of relief. Tho new Board of Shipping Control in Britain has been set the task of utilising all the' available mercantile shipping to the ' best advantage in order to meet the most urgent needs arising out of the latest developments in , the war.. 1 The-first, and .for the time being the only, consideration must be the best use to which a vessel can ho put to frustrate the designs of the enemy, and to help on' the successful prosecution of tho war. ' Tho transport of food supplies, munitions, and troops are vital necessities in which Britain and her Allies are for the moment handicapped by the loss of vessels through submarine attacks, and by the increasing demand for transport for war purposes. The dislocation of existing steamer services which has been rendered necessary by this demand may not be of long duration, but during the next few months wo may confidently look forward to a very serious shortage of overseas shipping freights. Many people appear to think that because here and in Australia there are ready for export thousands of tons of meat, wheat, and dairv nroduce, which are so urgently needed in Britain, the vessels should and will be sent to carry our products to our countrymen in the Motherland. For the time beinpr this course, which entails so long a voyage, has had to be set aside by the necessity for securing the requisite supplies in the quickest possible time, and with the smallest possible diversion of vessels from the work of transporting troops and. war material.- The comparative shortness of the yoy : ages to South America, the United States, and Canada, where food supplies are obtainable, enables the steamers to be used to much greater advantage there than would be possible if they wore sent all the way to New Zealand and Australia, They can carry three or four cargoes between 'America and England for every one they can carry between New Zealand and England, and for the time being speed is the vital factor in the situation. It may be expected that with the assistance of the United States, tho better organisation of the mercantile fleet, and the increased output of now vessels consequent on the speeding up policy recently introduced in Britain'and the United States, the present disabilities under which I the more distant parts of the EmI pire have been placed will soon be removed or at least minimised. For the time being, however, we have to face the position as it iis,' and in this respect it would be a wise step on the part of the Government if possible lo advise farmers as to the prospects ahead. So much doubt ,i,nd uncertainty prevails, that even though Ministers may not bo able to sneak definitely regarding the possibility of future freight space from New Zealand, their views should enable those engaged in farming pursuits to form a better understanding of what lies ahead of them and to act accordingly.