DOCK CONGESTION

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10521, 24 February 1920, Page 6

DOCK CONGESTION

EXPLANATION OF DELAYS INCREASED BUSINESS CHIEFLY TO BLAME. SIR- T. MACKENZIE HITS OUT. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright Australian and N.&. Cable Association. LONDON, February 20. Commander Hamilton Benn, M.P., a member of the Port of London Authority, in proposing the health of Dominion gueste at a luncheon, explained that the congestion and delays were due to the doubling of this business. Ho instanced wool, which had increased from 700,000 bales to 1,000,000, meat from 900,000 carcases to 1,700,000, tea from 50,000 tons to 120,000. ' Sir Thomas Mackenzie, High Commissioner for New Zealand, in replying, vigorously criticised tho action of the British authorities in limiting the sales of New Zealand meat to tho British public during the war when ample supplies were available, and overcharging for the purpose of recouping the extravagant prices paid for American meat. This congestion resulted in tho storage in New Zealand which rendered deterioration possible and prejudiced British consumers against frozen meat. *

Sir Thomas Mackenzie also complained of tho dearth of shipping. Fiyo New Zealand ships '\\iere unable to discharge, and 'between 9000 and 10,000 emigrants were unable to obtain pasMr' Percy Hunter, of the New South Walt* London Office, complained that the British Government was paying Denmark 4s a pound for butter and Australia under 2s. The Government was also pooling the butters, thereby concealing the identity of the Australian product.

LONDON, February 21. The High Commissioners and Agents-Generals visited the Port of London stores and docks and inspected the methods of working.