SHIPPING SPACE

Otago Witness, Issue 3197, 23 June 1915, Page 34

SHIPPING SPACE

NATIONAL MINISTRY URGED. AUCKLAND, June 21. At a meeting of tho Auckland Chamber of Commerce this afternoon to consider the question of shipping space the following resolution was passed: “That tho Government be urged to create a new portfolio and appoint a Minister of Commerce, whether a member of the Cabinet or otherwise, who shall be president of the Overseas Committee, which allocates space, to see that justice is done to all shippers.” Various speakers, in pointing out that the present Ministry was overworked, and faced with grave problems which would confront it both during the war and after it, advocated a Coalition Ministry. They declared that they regarded with strong disapproval the prospect of political strife while the country was engaged in war. Another speaker said he was certain that the great majority of the commercial people of the dominion wanted to see party differei ces sunk during the war and tho strongest Ministry possible formed to undertake the tremendously heavy duties before the Government. PROPOSED DEPUTATION TO MR MASSEY. WELLINGTON, June 21. A deputation representing Auckland interests will w 7 ait on the Prime Minister on Wednesday to make representations with regard to tho shipment of meat. The members of tiro deputation will urge that the northern province has not received all tho space to which it is entitled.^ Mr Massey, mentioning this matter to a representative of tho New Zealand Pimcs this evening, said be thought ho would bo able to convince this deputation, as he had convinced other representatives of provincial interests, that the Government had done the best possible under the peculiar circumstances created by tbe war. Ono result of the shipping trouble ought to bo an iniprovemeilt in the provision for the storage of frozen meat,” added the Prime Minister. “Down in Canterbury they have erected within two mouths a refrigerating store capable of holding 80,000 carcases. If there were more stores the dominion could face a temporary shortage of ships without anxiety.”