EXPORT OF PRODUCE

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 43, 20 February 1915, Page 7

EXPORT OF PRODUCE

CONFERENCE OF EXPERTS SUPPLIES FOR, THE ALLIES. The conference between the Prime Minister and tho shipping and frozen meat companies and the Board of Agriculture for the purpose of discussing the question of insulated tonnage was continued yesterday afternoon. The conference carried tho following resolution : — "That in view of the scarcity of , insulated shipping, this meeting 'asks for an assuiance from lite shipping companies trading to New Zealand to load steamers diiect from Gieat Britain to New Zealand, and that they will do all in their power to bung out all the tonnage possible, and ah soon as posbible to load meat and dairy produce from New Zealand porlb. Further, that the shipping companies confer with tho Government- and freezing companies in regard to the manner and mode of doing this without prejudice to existing contracts." MEAT FOR THE ARMY. The Right Hon. W. F. Massey put before the meeting the question of the request received by cable from the Secretary of State for the Colonies that the whole of the Dominion's supply of refrigerated meat available for exportduring the war be secured for the Imperial Government for the use of the Allied armies, and in order to prevent any excessive advance in price in the United Kingdom of existing supplies, which may not be required for the armies of the Allies in the field. He (the Prime Minister) informed the conference that the Government has decided to comply with the request of the Imperial authorities After full consideration of the question the following resolution was adopted ; — "That tlu's conference wishes to Inform the Imperial Government, through the Prime Minister, that they are prepared to co-operate with the Dominion Government in every way with regard to the proposal that the whole of the mpat available for export should be placed at. the disposal of the Imperial Government. Further.'that tho conference set up n committee to assist the Government in arranging the details necessary lor the successful working of the scheme."' It was also resolved that a committee, consisting of representatives of all freezing companies, and of_ the Board of Agriculture, be formed in order to confer with the Government on the matter, tho Prime Minister undertaking to formulate a scheme for submission, to the committee at an early date. VOTE OF THANKS. In acknowledging a vote of thanks for what he had done in connection with the freight trouble, the Prime Minister said that the Government felt it their duty to do something in this matter, which was one of national importance, because if anything went wrong with our exports, there was bound to be trouble later on. They had tried to do what was right, towards the prodticeis. and their representatives, the freezing companies. He added his appreciation of the valuable assistance rendered by Mr. Triggs, one of the Public Service Commissioners. It was not part of his duty to take up a matter such as this, but Mr. Triggs offered his services voluntarily. Mr. Triggs came forward and offered to assist in connection with the wheat trouble and the shipping business, and he had worked early and late in connection with the matter. He (Mr. Masey appreciated his vote of thanks, but o great deal oi' the credit was due to Mr. Triggs. APPRECIATION. Tlie National Dairy Association has informed, the Prime Minibter that at a meeting of its executive the following resolution was carried: — "That this meeting" expresses its appreciation of the efforts pub forth by the Prime Minister to secure refrigerated space for the dairy produce of this Dominion, and whilst some unavoidable delay in shipments haa occurred, is fully of the opinion that, but for the action of the Government, the position would have been much more acute.'* The Prime Minister has also received a letter from the manager of the New Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Association, Christchurch. expressing appreciation of thu efforts being made by the Government to overcome the troubles now existent, and stating that the local companies « were meeting in conference with the object of assisting the Government as far as possible in the solution of the problem The letter expresses the hope that tho persistent efforts of the Government will bear good fruit before long. A SATISFACTORY POSITION. "The ■conference was exceedingly satisfactory,'' taid the Right Hon. \V V Massey to a Pot-t reporter this morning, in reference to the conference held yesterday between himself and representatives of freezing and shipping companies. As to tho proposals from the Imperial Government regarding the supply of •frozen meat for the Allies, the conference took up a extremely satisfactory, and, 1 think, putiiotjc attitude. No diHicull'cs weie placed itt the way ol Ihe Ni'W Zealand Government, and 1 Ice) ccil.iiu that, as soon as we gel. tho details woiUed out, we shall have every absislaiice Irom tho gentlemen who moio present at tho conference. \Ve are now in com* munication with'the Imperial Government, and T hope that m a few days w« shall bo able to submit definite ptoposals."'

A member of the New Zealand Ex» peditionary Force in Egypt, writing from the Zeitoun Camp, expresses appreciation of the good work being carried on by the V.M.C.A. In the course of his letter, he says: "1 visited the V.M.C.A. last night in Cairo. It is a very niea place. T had a bath— the first for » fortnight— and then had a lovely dinner. We had soup, then roast mutton, mashed potatoes, and leeks, then Jelly, then some fresh dates and figs and a small cup of coffee—- about a tpasnoonful— for 8 piastie (Is 8d). . . . The YM.C.A. hnvo several large louts hero in Zeitottn, where you can gel \vntin°- paper stud <Mivolopes. dlnrnpi. postcards, also a lib* rary whole you can arc! .» <"up of tea or cocoa for hnlf-piuntr<\ and rnlci's foi* half-piastre " Mn Stuail Reid, fl Dunedin artist, well known in liivoivnvgil). has been appointed to tho position of sergeant in the Scottish Hoim>, a cavalry regiment which hi- joined in Glasgow when tho war biokc out.