DOMINION PRODUCE.

North Otago Times, Volume CVI, Issue 13984, 21 November 1917, Page 6

DOMINION PRODUCE.

PURCHASE BY IMPERIAL GOVERNMENT. MR MASSEY'S STATEMENT. AUCKLAND, November 19. < - Particulars' regarding the requisition by the Imperial Government of tho produeo of the Dominion, and ihc arrangeuieiits being made to liaildlo tho present season's output, were supplied ■ ill an interview' with ,Mr Masscy. v "The quantity of meat .estimated to remain in'store at the end of November will amount to approximately 1 2,1100,000 (iOH) carcases, as against l(il,:ill on the.same date last year," said the t'rimo Minister. "A great ' deal has been done iu the direction of providing further storage accommodation at the freezing works, and this new storage, when completed, will provide space for an additional 1,332,700 001b carcases, of which 720,700 will be in the North Island. The completion of additions and extensions is to a great extent dependent upon the arrival of the necessary material,'but -a very large proportion should be available this season. "Space for a considerable quantity of new. Season's, cheese will be available in steamers leaving this month. The total number of crates exported , from the Dominion during the twelve months ended October Hist, 1017, ; amounted to 49(yi.">7 crates, valued at t:!,192,i;;!1,' The total shipments of butter from the Dominion during the twelve months ended October 31 last amounted to 781,048 boxes. 1 "lu regard to wool practically , tho whole of the . 1010-17 clip lias now been valued. Since tho com- ' mencement of the Imperial Government requisition 501.301 bales of wool "• had been purchased to November 3, . valued at £11,053,466, and 360,243 bales had been shipped. The Imperial Government had expressed its desire to continue the purchase of freezing. < companies' slipe wool on tho same terms as last year, and this matter • was now receiving attention. "A statement has heen made that produce . of tho Dominion have . been very protracted," said the Prime Minister in a speech at Ttiakau. "hires have now been fixed and most of the conditions arranged with the Imperial authorities and the prices ' are slightly better than most people imagine. lam just in receipt of important advice from the Imperial Government about- the matter, and prices and conditions will be announced by v mo in Wellington to ' representatives '' of tho industry when I return.. The ,' responsibility will be placed upon the Imperial Government to see that sufficient shipping is provided to take the . produco to Britain. Our represcnta- .' live at Home, backed up by our own representations, was unable to induce the Food Controller to make a short , advance upon supplies of butter and cheese going into store this month. 3 i After a certain amount of difficulty—- ' J because it was really not provided for 'by Parliament—the Finance Minister 1 10 and myself have been able to nialtc arrangements for an advance of £5 a, crate on cheese find £3 a box on butI ter from Government funds for this i month, to enable dairy companies to meet their obligations. It is practically certain that within the next few days the whole of the details will be settled and by next month the Imperial Government will have taken over part of the produce, for which the money will bo immediately avail- ■ able."