FREIGHT FOR OUR PRODUCE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 13491, 21 September 1914, Page 8

FREIGHT FOR OUR PRODUCE.

HIGH OOMMISS^QN^r! NISGOTIATI^G'.

(Per Press Association.) - AUCKLAND,, Jbhw day . . Opportunity was taken of ih'e.viait of the Minister for Defence to^Auoj^lfinii^tp. inquire into what steps the Government is taking to make Mqyision.fp^ v the.f m Pping of New Zealand produce $6 the markets of Great Britain. Mr Allen said that "the Prime Minister had taken the matter up, and , was, ,now^, communication by cable with the' authorities and shipping companies m England.. IA was hoped that a sufficent number of steamers would be* available v^' provide an adequate cargo-carrying "jerroie from N^w Zealand to England. "It is not anticipaited that there will be any lack of facilities before the end of this year, and the beginning of next,*;, said Mr Allen, "and we hope that by that time the High Commissioner will' hftVe; bjeen able to make satisfactory arrangements for ah ample number of cargo steamers fitted with refrigerating space.' Asked whether the Government was prepared to guarantee the .companies against loss, the MEnister said that "the Government hoped that the companies , would be willing to provide facilities" on their o^Vn ■initiative. However, as negotiations progressed it might be found necessary to consider the question of a guarantee. The Government T\ras *akittg; ful^ftdvan■%ace of the approaching departure ot troopships to get a lot of produce away ; m fact, the troopships, were almost full of produce, apart, of course, from the space required for troops and their equipment. ■:..'•■■ ■■ .■■■- a