SHIPS FOR PRODUCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15728, 1 October 1914, Page 9

SHIPS FOR PRODUCE.

POSITION NOT SERIOUS.

STATEMENT BY PREMIER. GOVERNMENT'S ASSURANCE. [by TELEGRAPHSPECIAL correspondent] Wellington, Wednesday.

An important statement regarding the expected shortage of ships to carry refrigerated cargo from New Zealand to Britain was made in '.ho House by the Prime Minister this afternoon. '• A great, deal has been said in the House during the last few days," eaid Mr. Massoy, "with regard to the possibility of our producers being unablo to get their produce away in the coming export season. I have been looking into tho matter very carefully and I find that in October of last year three ships were required to earn' away our refrigerated produce. Of course, no difficulty exists concerning any cargo except butter and cheese and frozen meat. This year, no have three ships, available for the month ol Octoberthe Ruahino, the Corinthic, and the Pakelia, For November of last year there wero three ships. This year we have five readythe Rotorua, the Kakaia, tho Tainui, the Zcalandic, and the Star of Scotland—good big ships every one of them. For December of last year five ships wero required. This year wo have five —the Turakina, tho Tongariro, the lonic, the Tokomaru, and the Indrabarah. That brings us to December 31, and members will seo that there is no possibility, so far as it is humanly possible to judge, of any difficulty occurring between now and tho end of the year.

Sir Walter Buchanan (Wairarapa): Two more ships, than last year.

Mr. Mnssev: Yes. Referring to tho coming year, of courso tlio possibility of any difficulty arising is owing to a number of our ships being used for troopship purposes, not only from New Zealand but from Australia as well. I have cabled to the* Imperial authorities asking them to release the troopships at tho earliest possible moment after their arrival. I have not yet had their reply, but I have not tho slightest doubt that they will do so. 1 have informed tho shipping companies that I am prepared to meet them if it is necessary to send back any of tho ships in ballast or only partly loaded with cargo. I don't propose to pay full compensation, because I am sure tho companies will understand that part of the cost should be borne by themselves. I liavo not tho slightest doubt tliat soma friendly arrangement can be made.- Tho Imperial authorities have commandeered one of our ships, the Muritai, and aro using her for conveying frozen meat and stores to the troops. I have' asked them to release that ship at tho earliest possible moment.

Provision for the New Year. We come now to the first months of next year, continued Mr. Massev, and then we are in the thick of tho season. For January and February of last year we required 18 ships to carry our frozen produce away from New Zealand. For those two months of nest year there are 14 ships in sight. Tho New Zealand Shipping Company has eight, the ShawSavill Company five, and the Dominion and Commonwealth Company, one. -Mr. Sykes (Masterton) : That is exclusive of troopships?

Mr. Massey: That is exclusive of transports. Then there are four possibilities without! touching tho transports. There is tho Indralema, which will arrive in New Zealand in a few days, and the Indrapura and the Makarini now in London, awaiting cargo— it seems steamers are finding difficulty in the Home ports in getting cargo for this Dominion, and ships are delayed in consequence. There is then the possibility of these three ships being available, and there is the ship I have referred to as having been commandeered. In addition to that, it is possible that the transports will come back to New Zealand before they are required for ordinary cargo... I think that our transports will be back in New Zealand before the end of February. In addition to this, one of the companies has also informed me, not officially, that it has eight ships building, and that it has chartered three more.

Sir Joseph Ward's Doubts, Sir Joseph Ward said he hoped the Prime Minister's prediction would be verified. The ships mentioned for October, however, would not be sufficient. This was going to be a big season. Government members: Not in October. Sir Joseph Ward said that he had information from a- Southern port that the two freezing companies there would have over 40,IX)0 carcases that could not bo shipped until November. This would remain on hand and would be the first block. The same number would not do for November this vear.

Mr. Wilson (Taumarunui): There are two more than last year for November. Sir Joseph Ward said he was not questioning the fact that the Premier was doing all he could, but he did not think tho shipping companies could supply the demand, notwithstanding' all that had been >aid.

Mr Wilkinson (Egmont) : What would you suggest?

Sir Joseph Ward replied that he would suggest that some of the troopships should be. dismantled and that they should get other ships to lake away the troops. Sir Walter Buchanan. (Wairarapa) chairman of the Shipping Freights Committee, said that in. September of last year there were four ships, and this year there were two. It was true that tho strike last year made some difference am. swie allowance must bo made for that, but altogether the position was not nearly so serious as was apparently believed by th'> Leader of the Opposition.

Mr. Massey in Reply,

Mr. Masse-v said thai lie hardly thought that Sir Joseph Ward "'as serious in suggesting that some of (lit! troopships should hp dismantled. He had discus the matter ".villi the .Minister for Defence and some of the people concerned, and after making full 'nquiry lie was informed that they could not load a single ship in addition to the three that were here now. If, however, there was any need for another ship, it would lie met The Government had selected a troopship which might lie dismantled, and it had also selected another ship to take her place in such a ease. Mr. Isitt: The suggestion of the Leader ot tho Opposition \V?.s not so unreasonable •• ter all, then. Mr. Massey : I am speaking in the singular, but the Leader of the Opposition was speaking in the plural. Sir Joseph Ward had spoken of 40,000 car cases, but this vms only about one-third of what some of the large steamers would take. As far as strong action was concerned he was prepared to take any action that was necessary. If trouble came, lie was prepared to stop ships going to New York. Sir Joseph Ward: I think it ought to be done now. Mr. Massey: I will do it if it is nccssary. I am not going to allow the producers of this country to go without the necessary ships. The Prime Minister stated later in the day that ho had received some further information about the ships available. He was informed that besides the ships V had previously mentioned, the K.-v----;,,,iira would be available in October, tho Buteshire in December, one, unnamed, in January, and one, ii not two, additional ! Fieaicers in February. 1 I