THE SHORTAGE OF TONNAGE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3251, 5 July 1916, Page 10

THE SHORTAGE OF TONNAGE.

In view of the fact that- tonnage is such a matter of urgency at the present time, more than ordinary interest is attached to the Commonwealth's endeavours to lighten matters in this connection. The necessity of moving the accumulations of wheat in Australia is obvious, and it may be that the purchase of a number of ships abroad will aid somewhat in the solution of a difficult problem. It is anticipated that the first loading will be effected next month. It is, of course, recognised that the necessities of the military situation demand that ships shall proceed hurriedly with troops, no consideration being given to the cargo question—that is, in respect to transport; although advantage is taken to some extent of the carrying capacity of these vessels to lift cargo (primary products) J.o as great an extent as possible. Frozen meat as well as wheat and flour and other foodstuffs make heavy demands on tonnage. The London correspondent of the Pastoral Review, writing early in May in regard to transport, etc., says, inter alia: —"We heard in the House of . Commons yesterday for the first time | something definite as to the proportion of tonnage which had actually been employed