SHIPPING SITUATION

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10085, 26 September 1918, Page 5

SHIPPING SITUATION

MR HOOVER'S STATEMENT FURTHER INFORMATION CABLED FOR. Interviewed by a "Times" representative yesterday with regard to the cabled statement by Mr Hoover Cthe American Food Controller) that to obtain the necessary tonnage tor the transportation of American troops and foodstuffs to Europe it would be necessary to withdraw Allied ships from Australasian and . South American trade, the Hon D. H. Guthrie (Min-ister-in-Charg.a of the Imperial Food Supplies Department) said that he had no information on the matter beyond what was contained in the cable message. In view of the notice that had been taken by Air Hoover's statement, he had, however, cabled to the High Commissioner, London, asking him to supply him with any further information that might be available, and as soon as it came to hand be would give to the producers and others interested the fullest information to be obtained. In a statement recently published the Minister intimated that the shipping position up to Christmas was ukely to be somewhat improved, and during that period somo nineteen insulated vessels would probably be available for the New Zealand trade, j SHIPPING MANAGER'S OPINION. • Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, September 25. Mr Bennett, general maanger of the New Zealand Shipping Company, referring to Mr- Hoover's proposal regarding food-carrying ships, does not think it is intended to curtail to any great extent the steamers trading between the United Kingdom and New Zealand, but will probably only apply to steamers running between rsew » Xork and New Zealand.