WORKING FOR NOTHING

Evening Star, Issue 18030, 26 July 1922, Page 7

WORKING FOR NOTHING

NEW ZEALAND -•PRODUCERS’. POSITION. PRIME MINISTER’S STROM COMMENT. [Fkom Oor Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, July 25. “This country is practically working for nothing,” declared Mr Massey in the course of a statement on high freights and nthor charges on Now Zealand produce, *n the House to-day. He contrasted the, present freights with Argentine fmghts, showing that New Zealand is at a serious disadvantage; and ho also suggested that railway freights must come down. “Is it true.” asked. Air Burnett, that the Meat Board 6r the Government is negotiating for the purchase of a lino of refrigerated steamers?” • Mr Massey replied that he could not answer for the Meat Board, but he coin cl say, on behalf of the Government, that it was not negotiating for the purchase of steamers, insulated or otherwise. the position with regard to shipping was receiving tho closest attention, for the obvious reason that New-Zealand producers wore at a great disadvantage complied with their competitors in foreign countries. Mr Massey proceeded to give the Houso details of pre-war freights and present freights from the Argentine to England; also from New Zealand to England. Tho present freight on mutton from New Zealand was 151 per cent.- in excess of pre-war rates, while on lamb the increase was 148 per cent., though .on Argentine freight it was per cent, in excess of pre-war rates. “ This is what we are coming to,” said tbe.Primo Minister : “ \Ve cannot expect to receive higher prices for our produce than we received before tho war; therefore wo_ ought to see that tho cost ol production is ( not higher, than in pre-war times, otherwise wp,-w.i.l get into financial trouble and never get out of the present depression.” .The freight on frozen sundries from New Zealand, he continued, was 258 per cent, in excess of pre-war rates, yet Argentine frozen sundries were carried at 40 per cent, in excess of former rates. New Zealand canned goods had to pay 1121 per cent, more; hut Argentine canned goods boro oa.y a 40 per cent. rise. Our tallow bore a AX) per cent, rise; Argentine’s tallow 17 per cent. And he could continue this list indefinitely, ns ho had received quite a number of communications from those concerned in the matter. Members could understand the importance of lowering freights from the point of view of the whole country’s interest. Mr Holland : What is the explanation of the high freights? Mr Massey : “ I am sorry not to be able to supply that information. Ship owners say that expenses have so enormously increased that they must keep up their charges. But something will have to be done” to got freights and other charges back to where they were before the war. Not only shipping charges are needing attention railway '"charges will have to bo reduced, also the cost of freezing and, other charges at this end, and the cost of financing. This country is practically working for nothing, and having great difficulty in holding its own. _ Very strenuous efforts must be made to improve the position." Tho Prime Minister read a cable from Mr Jessup, vicc-chairminv .of the Meat. Board, now in London,_ stating that the Port of London Authorities were making reductions in storage charges on produce, which ho remarked were satisfactory as far as they went. Now that the shipping season was approaching nothing should be left undone to secure the reductions so urgently needed.