SHIPMENT OF PRODUCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15932, 1 June 1915, Page 4

SHIPMENT OF PRODUCE.

STORAGE ACCOfViJViOPATIDN.

FEARS OF DAIRYMEN.

The mutter of col «*-i»ge accommodation at Auckland, and i'isolated space on the oversea steamers, came tip at different itages of the proceedings at the annual confer*, .ice of managers of North Auckland dairy factories, held yesterday.

The chairman, Mr. A. Morton, president of the National Dairy Association, in the course of an opening address, dealt with tho condition of the produce market during the past year, Proceeding to speak of the coming season, he said he believed that, apart from the question of production—which depended largely on climatic conditions— were ill for a season of very high prices. So far as they could judge the war seemed likely to "last some time yet. If that were so there was no doubt whatever their produce was going to return prices, if not so high, then nearly as high as those of last season. Great Britain was, as a matter j of.fact, feeding her army largely on New rZealand produce. She was taking' very [much New Zealand cheese every day as rations for her army, and it was only a I matter of time when she would also make use of New Zealand butter as an army j ration. This meant that tho butter would reach a higher price than last year. Cheese was rated very high on the London market, being quoted at 100s per lowt, or lOijd per lb. Dnloss, of course, i the Government took charge of the cargoes and fixed the prices for the whole of the season, the factory companies would do well to send their produce to the Home market, and allow it to sell on its merits. They had had to face an additional charge 'for freights. From that date the freight ion butter would bo increased from 2s 6d to 3s per box, and on cheese from onehalfpenny to thrco-farthingß per lb. .These I were net charges. Protests had been made' 'against the action of the. shipping companies, but so far without result. The freights had been fixed by the London ! office, and the local people were powerless. In Australia there had been a War surcharge which made tho freights higher than they were in New Zealand. Tlie contract had not been broken, but [was merely suspended, so that probably 'on tho stoppage of the war the old contract and the old rates of freight would be reverted to, notwithstanding that there .had been considerable iucreaso in freights all over tho world since the contract had j come into existence. Appeal to Shipping Companies.

I The shipping companies, continued the ! speaker, would have to be approached in the matter of space. The Imperial Government had practically taken possession of all meat shipments, and it was ! possible they might do . tlio' same in re- ] Kurd >to dairy produce. With favourable I conditions there would be a tremendous increase in the output next I season. The 'increase would average 115 per cent, in the two lines. * I Mr. J. Barugh. chairman of directors •of the Auckland Farmers' Freezing Company, said that a great deal of butter .manufacture was giving ''place to cheese, , which took three times us much space. |The company could only take a month's "supply, but if chces* took th,» place of ; butter even that space would be curtailed, The company was quite prepared i to do all it could to meet the dairy factories. It had spentf£33,ooo.in enlarging jits works last year and £15,000 the year before. Works weio also being .built at the Wftikato, costing £100,000. This meant. ,a severe financial strain/and if the dairy ■ I factories could not get their butter' and ■ cheese away then they should co-operate [ with the company and, by helping" it, help themselves. Personally ho did not* think they would be able to get thecheese away. Meat was wanted badly, and the Government, ho" understood, had control of tho insulated- space. Cheese would not not away every . fortnight as hitherto. Ho thought 'the conference should appoint a committee to inquire into this question. * s ;

Cool Storage Question. Mr. Bassett asked what capital the companies would bo required to gubipribo to .the AucKland Farmers' Freezing Com-

pony. Mr. Barugh said until estimates of the output of cheese and butter were made by tho factories he .could not definitely answer this question. He added that they could not do much in the way of extension this year. Thero was a certain amount of space, however, which could be utilised. Provision could bo made for about 50,000 boxes. The chairman said that at Tnrannki the freezing works which were, utilised only for butter and cheese were capitalised at £18,000-and tho shares were held by 35 companies. A delegate said that a proposed extension of the works at Whangarei Heads would provide additional space. Another delegate said that as shipping space was tho great piyblem somo of the interned enemy - steamers should be brought, into service. The chairman said he was afraid they had no insulated space but were simply cargo boats. Mr. Stringer said that it was essential to increase the storage accommodation at the earliest moment. The following committee was,then appointed " to deal with all matters in' connection with the provision of adequate stor-. age at freezing works and to continually endeavour to secure adequate shipping space " :—Messrs. Hudson, Strenmlands; U-..J.V, Dargavillc; Hubbard. Paeroa; Ooodfcllow, riuiuiiljT- Pacey,. Auckland; Allen, Cambridge;' Peebles, Taneatua,; McDonald, Hikurangi; and Boddie, Tc Kuiti. •