SHIPPING SHORTAGE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10086, 27 September 1918, Page 6

SHIPPING SHORTAGE

INTERCOLONIAL TONNAGE STATEMENT BY HON. ARTHUR MYERS. The Hon. Arthur Myers (Minister-in-Charge oi Munitions and supplies) wiien invited by a. “'limes'’ representative yesterday to comment on tno statement recently puDlisUod in a Christcnurch paper to the effect that nca had been snut out of intercolonial boats on tne instruction given to shipping companies by an agent appointed by the Government, stated that the last three boats which had come over Irom Sydney had brought about two thousand bags of rice. “The position in regard to tho utilisation of freight space between Australia and New Zealand,” remarked i'lr Myers, “is that there is more cargo awaiting shipment at Australian ports than there is tonnage available to lift the same to New Zealand. As a result of action taken by me, shipping companies have given attention to several isolated orderg for important merchandise required in the Dominion, the absence of which would affect the continuance of our industries. A suggestion was made to me that preferential lists should he drawn up indicating the order in which the good s should be considered for shipment; but, on going into this matter, I find tho nature of the merchandise usually flowing from Australia to New Zealand is of a seasonable nature, not lending itself to treatment of this kind. Therefore, it is not intended to take action on those lines. My desire is to disturb as little as possible the existing commercial practice, but the requirements of tho Dominion are such that it is undesirable for the limited shipping space available to be utilised without careful attention to those commodities most needed for the welfare of the Dominion. ACTION TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT. “Early this montn I requested the New Zealand Government agents at ayuney unu ' Aieiuourno to approach enu slapping companies concerneu, asking thoni to luvourably regain appucatious lor superphosphates, potatoes, onions, pofiara, and imes ot seed grain, the -uhaerscauomg being that this request would bo reviewed early next month. “1 desire to make it clear that the New Zealand Government has not sent an official to Australia for tho purpose of regulating tho cargo space, in cooperation with the shipping companies concerned. To prevent confusion, it will bo appreciated if consignors continue to make their applications for space direct to the shipping companies interested in Australia; tiien ; in the event of the shipping companies finding themselves unable to give the attention which such consignors regard as reasonable, I will bo pleased, at the request of the consignees in New Zealand, to consider whether any representation can be made by the New Zealand Government to the shipping companies. Should I find justification for requesting the shipping companies to afford better attention than they found themselves able to give at the request of the original, applicant, than I will direct the New Zealand Government Agent concerned to make suitable representations in regard to the matter. “Merchants and others in New Zealand affected by the procedure outlined above may rely on prompt attention being given by my department to any requests made to me in this connection.”