FLEET REQUISITIONED.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 29, Issue 39, 22 May 1917, Page 8

FLEET REQUISITIONED.

DOMINION STEAMERS TAKEN OVER. WORLD-WIDE CONTROL OF SHIPPING. “The Imperial Government has requisitioned the whole of our fleet, ' ' was the statement made by Mr A. W. Bennett, general manager of the New Zealand Shipping Company, to a representative of the “Lyttelton Times” on Monday. “I believe that the same action has been taken in respect to every vessel running in the Australian trade,” he added. “It means that the Imperial authorities now have power to send the vessels to any part of the world that suits them. I understand that the authorities are requisitioning all the ‘conference' steamers. That means practically all the regular liners running in the Australasian trade. The term is while the war continues. The vessels have not been commandeered in the same way as commandeering was carried out at the beginning of the war. Although the Imperial authorities will have complete control of the vessels, and will direct their movements, we will act as agents of the Government as long as circumstances permit. Of course thg vessels may be used largely in their respective trades; but, as I have indicated, the Imperial authorities will have power to direct them., SYSTEMATIC CONTROL.

This action of the Home authorities has not come as a surprise. As long ago as March 24 a cable message from London conveyed the information that the British Government had made a general requisition of all liner tonnage, on what is known as Conference lines, which serve India, Australia, South Africa, and South America. It was understood that this extended control scheme was intended to deal systematically with practically the whole British tonnage, bringing it under the Shipping Controller. THE DOMINION TRADE.

In reply to a question Mr Bennett said that he did not think it was probable that all the vessels concerned would be taken off the New Zealand trade. It was obvious, however, that if the authorities wished to use the vessels for certain supplies it would be better to send them to a country nearer to the Old Country than Now Zealand or Australia. AWAITING SHIPMENT.

Regarding the supplies of produce in Now Zealand ready for shipment, Mr Bennett said that the quantity of moat in the works was equal to 2,500,000 carcases of sheep. In the South Island there were largo quantities still to be killed. In Auckland there were 200,000 boxes of butter, in other parts there were about 50,000 boxes. There were more than 120,000 bales of wool waiting shipment, about 100,000 casks of tallow, and large quantities of hemp, pelts, gum, grain, and timber. COMMERCIAL MAN'S VIEW.

Mr H. S. Bourn, president of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, stated that ho did not think the position created by the Imperial Government's action was as serious from a New Zealand point of view as it at first seemed to be. He presumed that the authorities would send vessels into New Zealand waters as well as to other parts, and that New Zealand would receive at least her quota. The vessels, apparently, would be used only for the conveyance of necessaries. All New Zealand's staple products were necessaries, and she still could supply the Old Country with largo quantities of them. Perhaps this Dominion would faro better under the new scheme than under the old conditions. At any rate he did not think the change would have a very great effect on New Zealand. THE DOMINION'S WOOL,

Mr A. Boyle, president of the Canterbury Woolbrokers' Association, stated that the position of wool was not nearly as serious as the position of meat. Wool did not require insulated storage It could be sent in almost any kind of vessel. It_ could be kept in stores without being damaged, and there was ample storage in Christchurch. Practically all the greasy wool had been sent away. If the Dominion could not clear this season's wool, next season's, of course, would be affected, but he believed that whatever happened the loss on wool would not be great.