SHIPPING FACILITIES

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 147, 23 June 1915, Page 3

SHIPPING FACILITIES

facilities and other special matters, such ' committee to consist of the executive of the National Dairy Association and representatives of local committees which are or may be set up in the several districts." i Mr. J G. Harknass (secretary) predicted that, whereas last year there were 36,000 tons of cheese exported, this year there would bo 45,000 tons exported; last year 17,000 tons of butter were exported, this year there would ,bo 20,500 tons or 21,000 tons. The shipping companies knew all that. At 31st May there were 69,000 crates of cheese awaiting export. Mr._ Marx thought cheese interests were in danger of being over-shadowed by those of butter. Mr. Marx withdrew his motion, and Mr. Pacey's amendment' became the substantive motion. Some members thought the motion was a reflection on the executive of the association. The Chairman: I do not take it that way. There was no reflection whatever meant. He was quite sure of that. The executive was glad of the assistance of those outside of at from time to time. He thought the proposed committee would be of immense assistance to the executive in attaining the end in view. . NO SHIPS AVAILABLE. In reply to a question, he said it was practically impossible to obtain any ships of any kind. A" vessel was required to bring superphosphates to New Zealand, but not oiie could be obtained. Mr. Pacey's motion was then carried. # Mr. Pacey stated that the country, in his view, was confronted with a great crisis for want of sufficient storage and shipping. He moved:— "That this meeting requests the delegates to the deputation which is to meet the Prime Minister to-morrow to urge : That some of the interned steamers be brought into use to liberate refrigerated space ; that the,,working of the steamers be altered to economise time to secure more trips ; that the insulated space in the present steamers be increased ; that representation upon the Overseas Committee should be given to dairying and other commercial interests; that a Minister of the Crown should be appointed to the Overseas Committee, such Minister to be chairman of the Overseas Committee aforesaid. "TRY PRESIDENT WILSON." Mr. Daysh suggested that, ai his son had told him that he himself had seen in New York Harbour acres and acres of German ships interned, representations should be made to President Wilson to release one acre of these ships for the New Zealand trade, to be manned, of course, by British crows. Mr. Pacey suggested the appointment of a Minister of Commerce, m view of the crisis that was pending. He thought it would be futile to offer a higher freight, as "there was not the tonnage available. Time might be saved if ships loaded up at ono port in the Dominion instead of travelling around from port to port, picking up a little here and a little there. Additional refrigeration upaco could, ho understood, be provided at comnaratively Email cost, on existing insulated ships. THE PRIVATE CUSTOMER. Mr. Samuel Turner said it seemed that practically all the cheese exported was going to feed tho troops. He thought the general public should have its fair proportion^ as of meat. The Chauman ramarked that the constitution of the Shipping Freights Committee was such that the dairying industry had a right to be represented upon it, for it savoured too much of what waa at times called a "ring." Mr. Arlow (Weddel andj Co.) nrged the appointmsnt of someone On tho Shipping Freight Committee that would counteract influences operative against the dairying industry. He instanced the freight on a 601b carcase as 2s 6d, whereas a crate of cheese, which was equivalent in freight (weihgt or measurement), was 10s. i Mr. Pacey's moiion was carried unanimously. The committee is to consist of eight representatives — two each from Taranalri, Wellington, and Auckland, and two from Hawkes Bay and Wairarapa combined.