NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15261, 27 March 1913, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE.

PORT IMPROVEMENTS AT HOME. TO BE FINISHED NEXT YEAR. | [THOU . OTJB OWN COBEEBPOKDBNT.I London, February 14. Aw important conference between the' High Commissioner and the Port of London Authority took place this week, Mr. Mackenzie attended by appointment, and met Lord Devonport (the chairman) , and some members of the Port Authority, together with leading officials...During; the course of , the deliberation, which lasted two hours, the principal questions discussed were : The provision of additional and improved storage for meat at the South-west India Dock, the intentions of the Authority regarding the proposed extensions at the Royal Albert Dock, and the question of concessions on rates. The Port of London Authority will not undertake the construction of stores at the South-west, India Dock on lines such as Mr. Mackenzie would like. They are, however, going to deepen the entrance and improve the wharfing * accommodation. In their opinion—an opinion in which they /daSm.^ to be •■■ supported by the trade here—the Royal Albert Dock is best suited for the distribution' of New Zealand meat, as well as of meat from other parts. >~'.; ■■-■^ J : : ; : /.' . ; The High Commissioner stated that the work had been already promised, and he wished to know when it would _ actually be put in band, so that the earliest possible attention could be given to the muchneeded improvement in handling. At his request plana were sent for,. an<f the drawings ana situation were discussed' with, the' engineers. Mr. Mackenzie offered suggestions regarding handling, discharging from the shins, working the meat in cola .stores, and redistribution by train and van- The plans showed that very .great care had been ,exercised :in making provision -for ' proper sn4 careful handling of the meat. The Authority is doing away with the "shoots" to which Mr. Mackenzie offered so much objection. A continuous platform will take the meat front the holds of the j ships to':■; various parts of the atore, ■ and lifts will be employed instead of " shoots" I for elevating or lowering the meat afterIwards* 'The Authority has in' view, the conveyance of meat ny tram from the stores to Smithfleld Market, and by rail to other parte of Britain. ' Replying as to the date when the work j will be started, the Authority stated that ! everything is ready, and tenders are being ; called, Thev' promised that they would I accept the lowest tender,' and that the ; work would be put in hand at once, and finished by December of. next year. If the Authority carries out what it has I remised regarding these stores, Mr* MacI kenzie, whue regretting that stores are not a* present to be erected at the Southwest India Dock, has no doubt that very eat improvement will take place in the idling of meat from the point of ship discharge at the, Royal Albert Dock. In reference to the South-west India Dock, the Authority promised that should the work there be deemed necessary in future, they would go into the matter again. . Regarding the concessions on rates, the advantages from which New Zealand (owing to the divided system of shipping from that country) does, unlike the Argentine, not obtain, the Authority is: going into this matter with a view to seeing what can be done and will report to Mr. Mac-' .kenzie. -■'*■■'■ ''■"■"•■■:.■ ~ : "■'-"■ ' : ' : '' ■ '