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Otago Daily Times, Issue 18444, 4 January 1922, Page 6

The statement made in the House by Mr T. M. Wilford, Leader of the Opposition, regarding the alleged unseaworbhy condition of the tail shaft of H.M.S. Philomel, was the subject of jocular reference during the visit of the Prime Minister to that ship in Auckland. “I cannot think who imposed on Mr Wilford’s credulity, but I wish the water was clearer so that I could show you how good the shaft is,” replied Commodore Hotham to Mr Massey. He added: “Sailors are the worst offenders in the matter of having a joke at the expense of inquiring people or members of Parliament.”

(Unreasonable delay in unloading New Zealand produce at British ports was recently the subject of a strong protest by Mr Massey to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, through the Governorgeneral. A cablegram of December 29 from the Colonial Office states: This matter will be inquired into. It is now believed that the congestion of shipping reached its crisis in September. The position would be normal early this year. The congestion was entirely due to the abnormal importation of meat greatly in excess of cold storage accommodation. During the last 10 months the Port of London Authority handled 56 per cent, more meat than in the same period of 1913. Cold storage in London was ample for normal conditions. The Port of London Authority would continue to do everything possible to ease the situation. Delay ami waste of storage space was due to small separate consignments of meat arriving. There was no difficulty regarding the storage of butter and cheese, as the greater part was cleared at once. Butter and choose could not be discharged until meat was placed in cold storage. The question of diverting ships was found impracticable in most cases for the reason that meat definitely consigned to London could not at present be sent -elsewhere.