A SERIOUS OUTLOOK

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLII, Issue 11616, 15 August 1918, Page 5

A SERIOUS OUTLOOK

POSITION OF MEAT COMPANIES

The seriousness of the shipping position is emphasised by the managing director of the Wellington Meat Export Company (Mr. W. (r, Foster) ;in hi? qddresg gt cunual meeting of the couii’iiliiy yesterday". “In my address' last year,” he said, “I mentioned that 'so far as the past season's meat was concerned I had no anxiety as to to deal with it, but I was not sanguine for the ensuing season, which wo are now approaching, prospects for which are very serious. At the present time there are, approximately, 0)4 million freight carcases in the stores in New Zealand, with an additional capacity of only 1’ . t million freight carcases. "The prqbabilites of relief by shipping are different, and it would appear as if by the commencement of the busy season, capacities will be exhausted, and unless considerably increased shipping facilities, are provided it is, in my opinion, cer!;. ,; u that a considerable proportion of the stock available for export must either be held on pasture, or other means than freezing must be adopted. "The Government is alive to the seriousness of the position, and has the matter under consideration; every ‘.possible moans of averting loss to-stook-owners will no doubt be availed of, but time presses, and with this outlook it behoves graziers to reflect before continuing the extreme prices for store stock which have been current recently.

‘‘Companies are being asked as to possibilities of increase of freezing capacities and storage, but time is short, especially tor the North Island, and not. very much can be clone to meet necessities. But even were it practicable it cannot bo overlooked that for normal conditions, the present Dominion capacity for freezing and storage is adequate, ami further construction may result in, after war, ‘white elephants. ’ ’ ’