SHIPPING SPACE SHORTAGE

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXIX, Issue LXIX, 25 May 1915, Page 4

SHIPPING SPACE SHORTAGE

SOUTHLAND COMPLAINT AGAIKST CANTERBURY. WZ-

BY TELEOBAPH—PAESS ASSOCIATION. INVERCARGILL, May 24. .A Southland limes' reporter was iniormerl that, in regard to the allotment of ix-JZrti meat space, the North Can-terbfH-y branch or. the Farmers' Union were taking into account figures for the wnolu of tiie season, which was manifestly not right, since a large quantity of Tlieat had been shipped beiortf the Imperial authorities bought produce. The letter, it was stated, made it appear tnat the commission had favored Southland and the North Island as. against Canterbury, but the writers of it should have borne in mind that the Commissioners could only deal with the position as it w&-% when they took office, and such being the case the figures relating to the period since they took office sould have been quoted in any complaint-against them in preference to the figures for the whole season. The North Island season being much earlier than that of the South Island, a great many shipments were got away from the north before the southern works started upon the season's work,and taking the aggregate figures it was made to appear that the Conimisskmers had acted with favoritism. This year the South- Island started operations much later than usual, owing to climatic conditions. The peculiarities of che seasons demand that - farmers should have feed well into the first month of summer, failing which the stock do badly, and Canterbury farmers were helping to accentuate the i difficulties, which were ahead of Southland in this respect, by sending thousands of sheep down to graze, and they were reducing the chances .of Southland being able to carry its stock through. the winter.. From this it would be apparent that Southland's difficulty would arrive at a later date than that of Canterbury, and they required to see that it was not made greater by other provinces unfairly claiming Southland's fair share of freight allotment. Even now stock accumulating for killing. through inability of works to tleal with. them (only being able to work balf time) were eating out feed which should be conserved for late winter. In view of the difficulties which Southland had to face they were not asking for sympathy or assistance disproportionate with what was being given to other districts. A good deal of the present trouble was due to the large shipments of beef which had been sent forward. Enormous quantities of beef had teen put through, and this had created a tremendous demand for shipping space beyond the usual requirements. A gentleman interviewed stated the?* had no doubt that the Commissioner* were doing their best'to cope with tie position. The fact that they had failed to please everyone and were making some sore -was indirect evidence that they were tackling the question thoroughly. * To ask the Government ta take the matter over would not give any more ships than are available. I* was also pointed out that the Canterbury works had been increasing- their killing capacity and neglecting to provide corresponding storage. Had they not made that mistake they would iofc have so much trouble at this time. The present position of Southland is certainly a most ■serious one and; will Be broiight home to all directly, as the months of April, May and June are tfc^ flush months of the season, and as all" the works are full at the present moment and ths freight 'allotment for tie nest two months will not provide one month's killing. There are sure to.be a large number of lambs go off in condition through feed being finished, and ' thesß will not find their way into the • works.