POULTRY SHOW.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15948, 19 June 1915, Page 5

POULTRY SHOW.

SPECIAL PRIZES • AWARDED.

The attendance at the Auckland and Suburban Poultry Association's Show, which is being held in the Royal Albert Hall, was somewhat affected by the unfavourable weather yesterday afternoon. During the evening the attendance increased considerably, but even then it was not as good as one would expect at such an exhibition of wcll-brod poultry. Several additional awards were made yesterday, and the only exhibits now to be judged are the cat classes, which will be judged this morning. Tho handsome silver cup donated by Mr. H. A. Nathan for the best hen or pullet in the show was won bv Mr. J. Nixon's Black Minorca hen. The following are the awards for the special club cups, which were open for competition to exhibitors' young birds I only — J. and W. G. Mason, Black-red British Game, cockerel; G. Attwood, Old English Game, pullet; B. P. Hawkins, Brown I Leghorn, pullet; J. Nixon. White English Leghorn, pullet; J. Porter, American White Leghorn, pullet; J. Nixon, Black Minorca, pullet; A. E. Stones, Black Orpington, cockerel; A. E. Stonex, White Orpington, cockerel; A. Caft-er,_ Silver Wvandotte, cockerel; G. Wittineham, Plymouth Rock, barred pullet ; W. E. Welhani (utility class), American Leghorn, cockerel ; ,F. YV. Walters, Duckwing Game, pullet. The «how will bo reopened to-day at 10 a.m. and closes at ten o'clock to-night.

SHORTAGE OF SHIPS.

POSITION OF AUCKLAND.

MEETING OF PROTEST.

MR. MASSEY TO BE APPROACHED.

A JrtKrrxG of those interested in the matter of the shortage of ships with insulated freezing space, convened by' the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, was held yesterday afternoon. Mr. Robert Burns presided over a large attendance, which included Messrs. C- J. Parr, J. A. Young, A. M. Myers, and A. E. Glover, M.P.'s.

The chairman stated at the outset that the subject they had gathered to discuss was of an entirely non-party character. Everyone realised that Mr. Massey and his Ministers had at present an exceedingly hard row to lice. They were already overworked, and it was desired not to •harass, but to assist them.

Messrs. Myers and Glover agreed that the matter was absolutely outside party politics.

It was stated that the Overseas Shipping Committee consisted of seven members, of which six, it was presumed, were appointed by the shipping companies, and one by the Government. Three of the members were connected with the New Zealand Shipping j Company, two with the Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company, and one with the Commonwealth and Dominion Shipping Company. The interests of certain shipping companies were intertwined with those of certain freezing companies. Sir George Clifford, for instance, was a director of both the Canterbury Freezing Company and the New Zealand Shipping Company. Speakers dealt with the mortgages given by a frozen meat company to a man who was a director in a shipping company, and to certain shipping companies. Such gentlemen might be trying to do their very best for the Dominion as a whole, but how could they avoid being unconsciously influenced?

In reference to a Government statement that the export of meat trom the Auckland Province was over and above the usual quantity, it was pointed out that there were two seasons. Very little was shipped during the winter season. In the July-December period, very little went away from the South, owing to the different climatic conditions, and in that time Auckland got all the space it wanted. The Southern centres did not want it then, but now, when the Southern season was on, both required space, and the position could not be counted against Auckland now.

Mr H. E. Pacey, of the New' Zealand Dairy Association, stated that it was useless to talk about July shipments- The real shortage would come in October. Unless more shipping space was made available, the storage space for butter would prove inadequate, and the butter would simply have to go to waste. A proposal was made that the Government should be urged to increase the personnel of the Overseas Shipping Committee by giving Auckland representation on it. This province was not represented at present, while Wellington had four members. It was also suggested that the Chamber of Commerce should urge the Government to appoint a responsible Minister of the Crown to the chairmanship of the committee, as the public would then have more confidence in it.

The matter was considered to be outside the scope of the meeting. A motion was adopted appointing a deputation consisting of Mr. Robert Burns, representatives of the Farmers' Union, Auckland Farmers' .Freezing Company and Mr. H. E. Pacey, to go to Wellington and wait on the Prime Minister on Wednesday, if that date is suitable to him, find go into the whole matter. OPINIONS OF FARMERS. A. AND P. ASSOCIATION DISCUSSION At yesterday's meeting of the Executive Committee of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association the question of the shortage of ships for the carriage of meat and butter from New Zealand was discussed. The chairman, Mr. S. W. Luxford, said that one of New Zealand's greatest industries was threatened with stagnation. The state of things seemed to have been brought about by a number of the New Zealand traders having been commandeered for troopships. As a consequence the country was, to a certain extent, under the direction of the Imperial Government'regarding freight vessels. The butter season would open shortly, and unless satisfactory . arrangements were made by August, the dairying industry would, be in a precarious state. If dairy produce could, not (je got away it would mean disaster to V an y farmers, especially to those who had paid high prices for their land. Instead of earning £12 per cow per annum, the cows would have to be turned out, and at most would earn £3 per head. The position in connection with the frozen meat industry' was similar. The stores were full of meat, which should be with the troops in France or with the people of Great Britain. Numbers of men had been thrown out of employment. It was to be hoped that the authorities would be fortunate enough to shortly formulate a scheme, in conjunction with the Imperial authorities, to relieve tiie position. Mr. Luxford added that lie did not think it would be of any use to pass a resolution urging the Government to further action, a he was convinced that the Government was doing all it could. There was no reason, however, why the matter should not bo ventilated. At present there were 2,000,000 carcaseo waiting to be shipped. It would take at least 20 ships to accomplish this. Mr. W. Johnston mentioned that with 14 steamers loading in the Dominion this month it did not seem fair that Auckland should only be allotted space for 8000 carcases. There were about 80,000 in cold store. Christchurch, with no feed and no fa stock was getting the most space. bir Robert Lockfiart asked whether it was a fact that butter had preference over meat. The chairman raid that was so. Mr. J. M. Phillipps stated that the position was that the war demands of steamers came first and the carriage of food second. But had producers and their representatives tried to help themselves? Governments must put war exigencies first. Mr. I. Gray considered that there had been too much talk about the amount of freight space allotted to Auckland. Farmers had had a really good time. jso\v it had came to an end, and this was an occasion when every man must show his loyalty.

It was mentioned that Che association had not been invited to send a representative to flie conference with members of Parliament which was held yesterday afternoon.

VIEWS OF WAIKATO GRAZIERS. DEPUTATION TO GOVERNMENT. [uy TELEGRAPH,—OWN' correspondent.] Hamilton', Friday. A largely-attended meeting of graziers was held this morning to discuss what action should be taken in regard to the shortage of shipping and freezing space. Mr. Ewen McGregor presided. The chairman expressed the opinion that the present position regarding the shortage of shipping space would not diminish for many months to come, but was rather likely to grow worse. No one could be blamed for the present state of affairs. If the Imperial Government saw fit in the interests of the Empire to divert ships to the Argentine on account of the urgency of getting adequate supplies New Zealand should not complain. A- Minister of the Crown had informed him that owing to Australia having ceased to export, New Zealand would now have

plenty, of boats. The export's from New Zealand for the past twelve months were greater than in any similar period before. ITieir stores were, however, still full, ihe Australian weather was subject .to great fluctuations and if there came bountiful rain, as frequently happened, New Zealand would be shorter still of boats. How then was Now Zealand to get its produce away? If the people of New Zealand did not bestir themselves they would iiave their produce on their hands. He had received an offer of a new 20-ton plant which he thought they should acquire and place in the Horotiu works immediately the buildings were ready. There was little possibility, ho understood, of the machinery for the Horotiu works being got out from England for a long time to come. Producers and Shipping Committee. Mr. Gribble said lie understood the prices had been raised from July 1. He had reason to believe that the companies held from 75 to 90 per cent, of the meat at present in store, so that the farmers were making a present of the increased amount to the companies. He suggested that a joint deputation representing the producers of the whole Dominion should wait on the Prime Minister and suggest that, in view of the fact that the Argentine is nearer to England than New Zealand, and that boats have been diverted there, it might be possible to make some arrangement without interfering with the supply to the Imperial authorities. Mr. Campbell Johnstone said that lie did not think thai the recommendations went, far enough. 'Hie Farmers' Union, which had taken charge of the matter, was to blame for the producers net being pruperlv represented. As far as the Auckland Freezing Works were concerned, the producers were forced to obtain their spare through the dealers, and had tw pay the dealers' price. If the directors of the Auckland company had kept pace with the times, and studied the statistics of the Dominion, they would have had ample space to accommodate their produce. Suggested Use of German Ships. Mr. J. ('. Allen, suggested that they try to get more journeys out of their present ships or else get the interned German boats released to allow their own boats with refrigerating space to come out for New Zealand produce. Mr. A. A. Ross, president of the Auckland Farmers' Union, said that he saw no reason why the interned German ships should not be released. Major Lusk defended the Farmers' Union, which lie said was doing all in its power to remedy the position. Mr. J. Boddie moved that a committee of five, representing the producers of Waikato, should, along with representatives from Auckland and kindred bodies throughout the Dominion, approach the Government and urge the seriousness 0 the position and the necessity for immediately increasing the shipping space. Appointment of Committee. The motion was carried unanimously, and the following were appointed as the committee: Messrs. E. McGregor, J. Boddie, C. Johnstone, A. A. Ross, J. C. Allen, and W. P. Morgan. After considerable discussion as to the steps to be taken at the meeting with the directors of the Freezing Company in the afternoon, the following motion was carried:"That considering the strides the Auckland Province has made, the directors of the Auckland Farmers' Freezing Company be requested to acquire the freezing machinery at present on offer to Mr. E. McGregor, and that it be erected at the Horotiu works as soon as possible." A suggestion that the Farmers' Vigilance Committee should join the graziers' branch of the Farmers' Union did not find favour and it was decided to continue the Vigilance Committee as a separate body.

FREEZING COMPANY'S MEETING. MORE STORAGE DESIRED. [bt telegbaph.—own correspondent.] Hamilton, Friday. ..In response to an invitation by the directors of the Auckland farmers' Freezing Company, a largely-attended meeting of shareholders was held this afternoon. Mr. J. Barugh presided. The chairman said the policy of the company had been to do all they could for the farmers, of the province. Replying to questions, he said that the company was prepared to go to the utmost of its finances to help the farmers. He had told a conference of dairy factory managers ' that they would be unable to get their, produce 1 away during the coming season • unless additional shipping or freezing, space was available. Machinery was ' available in Auckland for freezing a great deal more produce, and if the dairy people provided the requisite .capitalabout £15,000—t0 erect the additional storage space, this machinery would be at their disposal. Plans were ready for the'proposed additions. , \

Mr. Simson, engineer of the company, gave details as to the freezing and storage capacity at the Auckland works, and also explained the progress of the new works at Horotiu, which he believed would be ready by the end of the pivaent year.

Storage for Butter. In reply to a question as to storage for butter, the chairman said that the butter people had . all the space they ever had, and if they liked to erect additional stoT.jge room the company would provide the freezing power. The . company had spent £33,000 last year to cater for •'.he requirements of the graziers, and this year they had expended £70,000, in addition to what the farmers had subscribed four years ago. Had it not been for the scarcity of ships and the delay in the delivery of the machinery under order, ample "space would have been available in Auckland.

Mr. McGregor asked what was being done to relieve future pressure, and the chairman replied that lie did not think the company was far behind the .' people who took 15 months to raise £30,000 for the new works at Horotiu, which were to cost £100,000.

Mr. Campbell Johnstone said %it the real difficulty was that the present works were inadequate. Another source of dissatisfaction was the method ,of the allotment of space. The farmers were forced to acquire their space through a middleman. Preference to Shareholders. Mr. Ambury explained that the company .had experienced no difficulty over granting spaco to farmers until last year, when they began to freeze for themselves. Now trouble had come because there had been a great demand for their produce and a guaranteed price, and even - farmer was now wan till to freeze. A resolution was passed in February last, that no farmer shareholder should be refused s'wco until the space was tilled. Since February 24 110 space had been booked to any exporters. He had evidence in his pocket that farmers had hooked space and had handed the space over to exporters. 11 the machinery had came along last spring, as it should have done, they would have been able to kill even- hoof offering, provided the necessary ships had been available. Additional Storage Suggested. After the methods of allotting space had been discussed and several complaints ventilated, a suggestion was made that the freezing companies of the Dominion should ask the Government to release interned German steamers in order to free the insulated ships for the Ne« Zealand trade, but Mr. Ambury stated that they had already been worrying the Government in that direction for months past. The following resolution was carried : "That it be a recommendation to the directors of the Auckland Farmers' Freezing Company to take steps to raise an additional £10,000 to provide storage capacity over and above that already in existence.' It was also decided that the local Vigilance Committee should meet and discuss the situation with the directorate.