CONGESTION IN FREEZING WORKS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17631, 22 May 1919, Page 5

CONGESTION IN FREEZING WORKS.

EARLY RELIEF PROMISED

FOURTEEN VESSELS NEXT MONTH,

(Fbom Oue Own Cobbespondent.) "WELLINGTON, May 21. As almost every farmer knows the prevalence of drought conditions, together' with a lack of shipping for the- relief of congestion in the freezing works, which afford the only avenues for the disposal by the farmer of fat stock from his pastures, has Lad an unsteadying effect on tho stock market Prices, .have- fallen heavily in all but favoured districts. The rains have had some effect in steadying the market, and along with the welcome rains conies good news of the early arrival of considerable numbers of ships for loading on this coast. In view of the condition of tilings prevailing some days ago, the Minister in Charge of Imperial Supplies (Mr Gxtthrie) cabled to Mr Massey, impressing on him the urgent necessity of getting more shipping for New Zealand. The information ho supplied was to tho effect that there were in the stores 6,200,000 carcases of meat for which space had not been provided up till the end of May, and that tho ships in sight for June loading would bo able to lift only 600,000 carcases. What Mr Guthrie asked was that Mr Massey should impress upon the Imperial authorities thai it was absolutely necessary that Now Zealand should have shipping at tho rate of not less than 14 insulated steamers per month for at least five months ahead. Mr Gnthrio has received most welcome news from Mr Massey, to the effect that many more ships are to be provided for June" loading. The news now is, that -the following vessels will load in New Zealand in June:—Arawa, Armagh, Raranga, Kia Ora, Whakatene, Carpentaria, Paparoa. Rimutaia, Pakeha, Devon, Remucra, Suffolk, Shropshire, and Orari—a total of 14 ships for one month at any rate. In his cable Mr Massey states that, owing , to delays and labour troubles, tho Mahana, Essex, and Waimana, whirfi had been allocated for June loading, would fall back into July.