SHIPPING SHORTAGE

Marlborough Express, Volume L, Issue 86, 11 April 1916, Page 7

SHIPPING SHORTAGE

TUTS OUTLOOK FOR MAY

REMARKS BY THE PRIME MIN-

ISTER.

"Tho outlook for May is far from goad." said the Prime Minister to a N.Z. Times reporter on Friday, in referring •to the shortage of shipping find Ihe accumulation of wool, meat, dairy produce, and' flax in store in New Zealand. ''I am endeaVoring to bring about an improvement, ami am iii "almost daily communication with tho Home Government and Avith the A ustrs'liun authorities. But the! difficu'itie.s of the situation cannot he disgitirx'd. Tonnage is wanted in all parts of the Empire. "Tli? meat stores are- in a less congested condition than they were la-st year, hut that is because there >s ■more accommodation. Some of the companies provided additional cool ! storage alter the troubles of last ' year. May is going to be a parti- i cular!".' bad month. June- will be *■ j good mouth, and the eleven steamers j due to load during that month ought j to relieve the situation materially, j "F am quite satisfied • that all the] meat in store will be got away before j the new season's meat comes in. My j information on that point is clear. » That statement applies also to cheese j and butter. Then the Tonn.i^e Com-- > mittec- has assured me, as I stated j on Thursday, that the wool will be | pot away within a reasonable time. » That leaves the flax to be provided j for. and I am hopeful of being able j to afford, some relief to the exporters ' .:_ ii...t r i ''-■! >'• ..^^^m^