EXPORT OF PRODUCE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 187, 12 September 1914, Page 12

EXPORT OF PRODUCE.

SHORTAGE OF STEAMERS. * Press Association. AUCKLAND, September 11. Representatives of eleven of the principal dairy companies carrying on business in the South Auckland ••* district met in Auckland to-day and passed a series of resolutions urging that adequate provision should be made by chartering steamers to deliver the season's dairy produce to the United Kingdom. Mr H. E. Pacey, the manager ,for the New Zealand Dairy Association, presided. The first resolution declared that as the result of refrigerated steamers, which are ordinarily used for the carriage of produce, having been commandeered for the transport of troops, a serious shortage of transport facilities would probably "result at the flush of the present dairying season, and as a means of averting calamity, the meeting proposed that suitable steamers should be chartered and brought to New Zealand before the middle of December, in order to help relieve the congestion which, would by then be acute. It was decided to ask the New Zealand Shipping Company and Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company to arrange such charters as a means of carrying out their contract with the dairy companies. A further resolution was carried, assiiring the Prime Minister of the loyalty of the dairymen to the King, and urging that if additional troopships are needed no refrigerating steamers should be used, and that enquiry should be made through the High Commissioner whether suitable steamers for the carriage of dairy produce could be chartered in Great Britain. .

A resolution was also carried, declaring that the dairy companies would not purchase in future German parchment paper for butter packing, but would immediately make such arrangements as would ensure regular supplies of suitable parchment from other countries. The shipping companies' notice of suspension of the dairy produce eontract has been withdrawn, though the obligation to carry dairy produce at contract rate has not been removed. The shipping companies have served notice to other parties that owing to the commandeering of ships for the transport of troops, they may not be able to maintain the usual service. Investigations by the dairy companies have confirmed their anxiety regarding the shortage of shipping facilities, and representations are being made throughout the Dominion with the hope of securing adequate provision for the carriage of the new season's produce.