SHIPS FOR NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 20 February 1915, Page 2

SHIPS FOR NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE

CONFERENCE AT WELLINGTON. [United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Feb. 19. The following official report was issued to-night of the proceedings : A conference consisting of representatives of shipping and frozen meat companies and of the Board of Agriculture, convened by the Prime Minister for the purpose of "discussing the question of insulated tonnage and other matters, met at the Parliamentary Buildings this morning, the' Prime Minister presiding. The conference also discussed a communication from the Imperial authorities, asking the New Zealand Government to take control of the whole of the frozen meat output of the Dominion on its behalf which might be available for export. • The Premier, in opening the conference, brieflv-outlined'the steps taken by the Government to ensure a regular service in connection with the export of our frozen meat and dairy produce. The conference exhaustively discussed the question, and the following resolution was carried : "That, in view of the scarcity of insulated shipping, this meeting asks for an assurance from the shipp/ng companies trading to New Zealand to load steamers direct from Great Britain to New Zealand, and that they vvilLdo all in their power to bring out all the tonnage possible, and as soon as possible, to load meat and dairy produce from New Zealand ports; further, that the shipping companies confer "with the Government iand the freezing companies with- regard to the manner and mode of doing this without prejudice to existingr contracts." The Prime Minister then brought up the question of the request received by cable from the Secretary of State for the Colonies that the whole of the Dominion's supply of refrigerated meat available for export during the war be secured for the ' Imperial Government for the use of the Allied armies, and in order to prevent any excessive advance in "price in .the United Kingdom of existing supplies Which may not be required For the armies of the Allies in the field-. The_ Prime* Minister informed the conference' that the Government had- decided to comply with the request of the' Imperial authorities." -■.•■•-■. - After full consideration, the following resolution /was adopted : "That this conference wishes to inform the Imperial Government, through the Prime that it is prepared ■to co-operate ■•with the Dominion Government -in. every way "with regard to the proposal. thai the whole of the meat available "for export should be placed at the of the Imperial 1 Goverri■taent; further, that the conference set up • a cbmitiittee to assist the • Government - in" -' arranging' the' ■ details ne-' cessary for the successful working of the scheme." - • It was also resolved that a committee consisting of representatives of all the freezing companies and of the Board of Agriculture be -formed -in order to conier with the Government on the matter, the Prime Minister undertaking to formulate a scheme for' submission to the committee, at an-early date. The conference carried a (resolution thanking Mr Massey for what he had done regarding the question of freight.