SHIPPING PROSPECTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16927, 13 August 1918, Page 4

SHIPPING PROSPECTS.

QUESTION OF MORE STORAGE. 1 • J V V 'V. r v> ■« STATEMENT BY i MINISTER. It is not probable that there will be any immediate relief from the congestion of storage, according to a statement made yesterday by the Hon. W. D. S. McDonald, Minister for Agriculture, in discussing the shipping outlook. A certain number of ships would be available this month and next lponth, said the Minister, but all the indications pointed to a scarcity for some time to come, although there was a slight improvement at present compared with what was expected a month ago. The Government was daily expecting further information from the Imperial authorities in regard to shipping.

The Minister said the producers, freezing companies, and the Government bad given consideration to the question of increased storage, but no definite scheme had yet been arranged. At present there were over 5,000,000 freight carcases of 601b weight of meat in store and considerable quantities of butter and cheese, and although the next two months would reduce the stocks a very large balance would remain in store at the opening of the freezing and dairying season. According to information from tho various freezing companies, there was sufficient power available in the aggregate for additional storage equivalent to 2,000,000 carcases. If the information from Britain warranted it he had no doubt . .that arrangements would be made within the next two weeks to erect increased storage accommodation. Several companies had already made their own arrangements. Notwithstanding increased storage, however, unless the Dominion obtained a considerable amount of shipping towards the end of the year, a heavy congestion could hardly be avoided. Referring to wool shipments, the. Minister said there was practically a whole seaeon's clip stored in the Dominion at present. Increased storage for wool was being provided in Australia and the pro ducers in New Zealand would probably be acting wisely to adopt a similar policy.