N.Z. MEAT EXPORT CUT

Grey River Argus, 16 January 1941, Page 3

N.Z. MEAT EXPORT CUT

NOT ENOUGH SHIPS Farmers’ Union Secretary LECTURES ALL AND SUNDRY. I Per Press Association] WELLINGTON, January 15. “Restrictions on meat exports were not altogether unexpected,” said the Dominion Secretary of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, in an interview to-night. He had discussed the matter by telephone with the Dominion President of the Union, Mr W. W. Mulholland, so that the views which he was expressing were not merely his own.

It had to be realised, said Mr O’Shea, that the British Government was taking a step which the losses of refrigerated tonnage had . made unavoidable.

He continued that there was no blinking the fact that New Zealand had not done what it could have done to speed up loading and unloading of ships. If this had been done where it could have been done, it would have been possible to save a week per ship in total time taken in •the round voyage. However, it must be recognised that the shipping losses were the main factor influencing the British Government. There could, however, be no doubt about an unenviable record of slackness, strikes and hold-ups must have been a contributing factor, as must also have been higher costs in New Zealand. This record made it difficult for us to ask for any special consideration. It was important that this should be recognised. The restriction on the export of meat might be only a temporary measure, but it New Zealand wanted to make it possible to get back to her previous quota when ships again became available, we would have to speed up the despatch of ships. This, said Mr O’Shea, also had a bearing on the question of getting away our dairy produce. In this regard the Government system of payment for produce f.o.b. would probably require to be revised. New Zealand could only hold her present position in regard to getting away her i dairy produce if she diu everything possible so that the most economical! use of shipping available could he made on modern ships. It would. be possible, by making certain modifications in the procedure of loading, to work the clock round in three shifts This would not be possible in some of the older ships, but in their case it would be possible to work two shifts of nine hours. Also, the working of three shifts during loading would only be possible if the watersiders Would agree to work in temperatures lower than those regarded as the minimum at present. It would be possible, however, to work three shifts all the lime that a vessel was unloading. This would help also in that men would be fresher than they were under the present method of individuals working long hours. The Government, he said, had given a n undertaking that it would purchase all of the farmers’ products, but, up to the present, though the Farmers’ Union had asked how this was to be carried out, it had been unable to get a clarification. “One of the consequences,” added Mr O’Shea, “will be a diminution of net national income, and there will be less sterling funds available to New Zealand. This means that imports will have to be still further reduced. The community must be prepared to make very considerable further sacrifices. This means, also, that if any section of the people get further increases in money rewards, other sections will have to go seriously short.

The Economic Stabilisation Conference, evidently, had some such possibility in mind when it made its recommendations; but it is to be regretted that, up to the present, no attempt has been made to carry those recommendations into effect. consequence is that New Zealand is unprepared for this situation. One fact stands out, and must be faced, and that is that a smaller amount of sterling available will render economy absolutely imperative.' There will have to be a drastic overhaul in all expenditure in the Dominion, both of public expenditure and that of many individuals. This will create a serious internal situation. which will have to be tackled immediately.

“Great Disappointment ' OPPOSITION LEADER ON BRITISH MEAT DECISION WELLINGTON, January 15. f ‘One deplores ,the ’necessity mr any restriction on any New Zea.andproduced commodity, especially in view of the extra effort producer': are making to assist in the war effort by increasing production,” said the Leader of the Opposition, Mr S. G. Holland, referring in an interview to-night to the announcement from Britain that meat shipments from New Zealand were likely to bo reduced. “This ’announcement by Lord Woolton (British Food Minister* comes as a great disappoim ment New Zealand,” said Mr Holland. "11 to b'e hoped, as an improvement in the general war situation continues, that the restriction will be of a very brief and temporary nature. There has been provision msti- fen vast’y increased stoiage capacity .n this country since the beginning of the war. This should enable- us to cushion the effect of the present restriction on the primary producer.”