THE EXPORT TRADE

Evening Star, Issue 17034, 3 May 1919, Page 2

THE EXPORT TRADE

MORE INSULATED SPACE REQUIRED. A deputation from the Otago Expansion League and the Chamber o£ Commerce waited on Sir James Allen yesterday afternoon to bring the matter of the shortage of insulated space on homeward-bound steamers before his notice. Mr S. B. Macdonald said the Imperial Supplies Committee had commandeered all insulated space to the detriment of local industry, which meant that the small manufacturers in this town, and probably all over New Zealand, were totally shut off from sending foodstuffs to the Home Country unless they were commandeered by the Imperial Government.. Mr G. E. Moreton, of the firm of Messrs Moreton and Bradfield, said that the cheese his firm manufactured required insulated space to get it through the tropics, and that they could not get. The difficulty had been that first he was sent to the Overseas Committee, from there to the Imperial Supplies Department, which switched him on to the Munitions Supplies Department, and thence again to the Imperial Supplies Department. Now he came direct to the Acting-Prime Minister for assistance. They had been hanging on to and developing their hnsineijg during the last five years, looking forward to the time when they could export freely, and now the position was that he would have to close down his factory next week, with no guarantee whether they could get their stuff away. They only required accommodation for five tons —about 200 cubic feet—and their small packages would do for broken stowage. They realised the demand for Imperial supplies, but felt that local industries should also he helped. Mr J. B. Waters (president of the Chamber of Commerce) supported XJr Moreton’s contention that his goods could be used as broken stowage. That was, they were packed in small packages and would not interfere with the regular cargo. He asked Sir James to discuss the matter with the Minister of Munitions and Supplies, and see if some relief could not be given. The various chambers of commerce were in communication with Mr Myers on the question of freights on goods which did not come within the purchase of the Imperial authorities. When they put the question of freights before the local shipping companies they were told that the companies had no control of these at all, yet they were told by the Minister that the adjustment of rates was outside the scope of the Ministry of Shipping. In the meantime these high rates were still being charged. Hemp, for instance, was valued at- £3O a ton to-day in New Zealand, and the freight was £ls, or 50 per cent. It was the same with honey and other exports. These high freights wore going to react on local values to the serious detriment of the producer. Sir James Allen said that with regard to materials that were not Imperial supplies correspondence on the matter had gone to the Government, and he presumed it was now under consideration by the Minister concerned. The difficulty was that the great liners were still under requisition, and the Imperial supplies held in New Zealand were very heavy. He would have the matter examined and a reply sent as soon as possible. 'I he Government had been doing all that was humanly possible to secure n reduction in freights, but they were practically powerless at this end. Quite recently' three extra ships had been secured ns a result of Mr Massey personally interviewing the Shipping Controller. They were only too anxious to relieve local industries all they could, but they were practically powerless to do more than they bad done.