QUESTION OF STEAMERS

Nelson Evening Mail, 16 November 1916, Page 5

QUESTION OF STEAMERS

WHAT MAY BE DONE.

SCARCITY OF TONNAGE.

CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 13An interesting aspect of the wool situation is to be found in, the suggestion that if the Imperial Government itakes the whole of the New Zealand clip the wool may .be more easily got away f froml the country than would otherwise be the case. Speaking to-day on the subject of the shipping tonnage available for the exiport of wool from -the Dominion, Mr A. "W. Bennett, general manager of the New Zealand Shipping Comipainy, said: "At (present I do not, think that there is •sufficient tonnage in sight fcr liftimr the wool dip as fast as it comes to hand", 'but presumably if the clip is commandeered by the Imperial Government that Governjment will "endeavour to provide tonnage for carry!nsr the wool in the same way as it did the meat. Comma ndeerisg the wcol may mearr that more tofinage will be provided for the wool than wouldf be available if it were not cccnimandeered. That, of course, is only oonjeotu<ne, but judging from the charters there is not sufficient totuna-se in sigh.* at present for the early part of the season. 'At aaiy Tate, if it commandeers the.'-cliw the Tmiperial Government mkrht be able to divert some tonnage to New Zealand." Ma; Bennetts replies. to ques-

ttions indicated that if the clip is commandeered, and tonmage to carry it, is commandeered also, tihe carriage of wool and meat -will take up almost, if ns£ quite, ali trie tonmage.