CARGO SPACE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8852, 1 October 1914, Page 7

CARGO SPACE

REFRIGERATOR PROBLEM THE NECESSITY OF PROVIDING SHIPS. POSITION A DOUBTFUL ONE. The Prime Minister, the Right Hon. W. F- Massey, made a statement in tho House yesterday with regard to the shipment of New Zealand produce to Great Britain during the next few months. He said that there was no cause for anxiety on the part of exporters, as the Government had made such arrangements that the producers of the Dominion would be able to get their goods away as in any ordinary , season. He wanted to place some in- * formation before tho House with regard to the matter. Commencing with October, Mr Massey said that during this month of last year three ships were required to carry the refrigerated cargo from the Dominion —butter, cheese, and frozen meat. This year there would also bo three — tho Ruahine, Corinthic, and Pakeha. In November of last year, three were required, whereas this year there were five at command—the Rotorua, Rakaia, Tainui, Zealand!©, and Star of Scotland, all largo ships. In December of last year, five ships were needed, and this year five ships were available—the Turakina, lonic, Indrabarah, Tongariro, and Tokomaru. It would thus be seen that no shortage of boats could occur before the end of tho year. . , . Sir Walter Buchanan (Wairarapa): “You have more boats than you had last year.” . RELEASE OF THE TRANSPORTS.

Mr Massey said that of course a difficulty occurred owing to the withdrawal .of the troopslhips necessary for the transport of tho New Zealand and Australian forces,,but he/hod sent a cablegram to the Homo authorities asking them to release these vessels as soon as they were able to do so, after the troops had arrived in Great Britain. He had nob the slightest doubt they would do so. The ships—or some of them —might have to he brought back in ballast, as there was difficulty in getting cargo at Home at present for the Dominion. One of the' ships which had been expected to come out to the Dominion had been taken over hy the Imperial authorities for the transport of frozen meat across the Channel for tho use Of the forces at the front. He had asked that this ship should be relieved at tho earliest possible moment, and although ho had had no reply so far, he hoped 'that when it came it would he favourable. In January they would he in the thick of the season. Last year eighteen ships were required in January and February. At:,the present moment the Government 1 had fourteen ships in sight for these two months —eight belonging to the . New Zealand Shipping Company, five to the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company, and, one . to tho Commonwealth and Dominion Line. There was also the liossibility of three other vessels being available—the Indrapura, Indralema, and Makarina. The last-named was now in London waiting for cargo, which was. ;hard to get. - These vessels, alohg with tho Muritai, would, bring the total up to that required last year. „

TROOPSHIPS SHOULD BE BACK.

There was also the- probability that the transports would he back before 'they v ould be required for the purpose of carrying cargo. 'He could not i say exactly when these vessels would go, but he expected that they would be hack in the Dominion by February. If this were so —and it was a fair assumption—there would be no difficulty at all. He had made .'this statement in order that, there should be no anxiety on the part of exporters. One company, which he could not name, had informed him — not officially—that it had eight ships building, and had chartered three. So far as the Government was concerned, everything had been done which it had been possible to do. There was no doubt that the trade of tho country would bo kept going, and there was i not the slightest ground for anxiety. OF VITAL IMPORTANCE.

Sir Joseph Word said that everybody was anxious about this matter, and he hoped that the prediction made would turn out to be correct. But he (Sir Joseph) doubted whether there would not be any difficulty about October. The season, it was admitted, was going to be a big one. Government members: “Not now;— later on.”

‘ Sir Joseph Ward : “ I am expressing my own opinion.” Hon. Mr Fisher: "Oh, is that all?” ! Sir Joseph Ward; “Mr Speaker, it’s about time some Ministers were taught manners. If 1 were the Prime Minister I would give his colleagues al lesson about being rude that they would not forget.” An Opposition member: “ They' are like a' lot of schoolboys.” Sir Joseph Ward continued that the freezing companies were expressing doubts about. the ability to meet the space requirements, and they could not do their work in the dark. Under the existing circumstances, he doubted whether the shipping companies, no matter how anxious they were, could say definitely what they could do. What was the reason of one company building eight new refrigerated steamers? Was it not because under normal circumstances there was a shortage of space? Mr 0. A. Wilkinson (Egmont): " Well, why not make a practical suggestion ?” ' ■ Opposition members: Oh, keep quiet.” ORDINARY STEAMERS SHOULD BE UTILISED. Sir Joseph Ward: “ 1 am speaking of a difficulty that undoubtedly exists. X believe that some of the troopships, even -now, should be dismantled, and replaced by ships without, refrigerated apace. It is the most vital thing to this country that refrigerated space should bo available. It is necessary for the very existence of the country. The provision of refrigerator space on steamers saved this country from being strangled years ago—everybody knows that, and if it is interfered with it is a most serious thing.” he went on to say that ho did not know, in spite of the Prime Minister’s statement, where the extra ships were to come from. Even the British Government did not have them, for they had commandeered one of our ships to carry frozen produce across the English Channel to the troops in. France, Ho wanted this matter settled, and was anxious to help in it. The Government must take strong action if there was .going to be any difficulty.

Sir Walter Buchanan, chairman of the Shipping and Freights Committee, pointed out that in October this' year they had four ships, while last year they had only two. Mr Myers: “How many for September this year?” Sir Walter Buchanan: “Two, as compared with four last year. I admit this must be taken into account.” SIR MASSEY ANGRY AGAIN.

The Prime Minister said that the Government was prepared to take strong action. If necessary he would see that ships leaving with cargoes for New York- were commandeered to take produce to the' Old Country. Sir Joseph Ward: “I believe you ought to do it now.” Hon. James Allen: “So do I.”

Sir Joseph Ward: “The Mother Country ought to get preference every time.” Mr Allen: “Hear, hear.” 'Mr Massey repeated the assertion that he would commandeer theee ships if it were found necessary. Mr Hanan: “Do it now.”

Mr Massey: “If the hon. member were a business man, he wouldn’t make such a remark.” Mr Hanan: “Are you a business man?”

Mr Massey: "Yes. lam a business man.” Mr Hanan: “You should hear what people outside say about you.” Mr Massey: “At any rate, I’ve always paid 20s in the £. Mr Vigor Brown: “It doesn’t take a business man to do that.” THREE ADDITIONAL STEAMERS.

At the evening sitting, the Prime Minister said that since the afternoon debate he had received information that three additional steamers would be available for the carriage of produce Home. These were the Kaikoura (New Zealand Shipping Co.), for October, Buteshire (New Zealand and African Line), for November, find a third (unnamed) for January. There would also be one, or possibly two, additional steamers for February.