SHIPPING SPACE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 437, 5 July 1915, Page 10

SHIPPING SPACE.

NEXT SEASON'S NEEDS.

MEETING OF EXPORTERS.

A meeting of persons interested in the produce export trade was held in the Chamber of Commerce Hall this afternoon to consider the question of making an effort to secure the necessary steamer tonnage to carry the Dominion's frozen and general produce in the next season. Mr T. F. Gibson, president of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, who had convened the meeting, presided.

The chairman pointed out that they all knew the difficulties which had assailed them this season in getting tonnage for the conveyance of exports, and it behoved them to try to get better provision for next season. Last year they were fortunate in getting the wool clip sold and away before the shortage of space became very serious. This time the position would not be so fortunate. MiGibson pointed out that it was very likely that more of the Dominion's shipping would be needed by the Imperial authorities. There was also the possibility of New Zealand having an exportable surplus of wheat next season, and there would be a shortage of general cargo space as well as insulated space. On August 4 a conference of Chambers of Commerce would be held in Wellington, and that would be a valuable medium for communications on the matter. "

Mr E. W. Relph said that there would be a shortage of tonnage next season, not only of insulated space, but also of general cargo space. In ordinary seasons quite a large quantity of wool was carried in insulated space, but it was not likely that space would be available, for wool next season. Unless very strenuous efforts were made, the position would become very/serious. As far as the present season was concerned, he thought, with all due respect to everyone concerned, that they had taken too much comfort from the repeated assurances from Wellington that all wotrld be well. They ought to get to work at once. The Government, of course, could give them an immense amount of assistance by asking the Imperial authorities to release ships. He suggested that a committee be set up for the purpose of following the matter up arid working in conjunction with similar associations in New Zealand.

Mr A. W. Bennett, general manager, of the New Zealand Shipping Company, said that in normal years about 60,000 or 70,000 bales'-erf wool were carried in insulated holds between now and February. Last season none of this space could be spared for wool, and it was not likely that any could be so spared during the coming season. Shipbuilding for private owners w«s practically at a standstill now, and the enormous loss of tonnage through submarine warfare was still going on. It seemed to him that there was every probability of the present shortage of tonnage continuing,

and even increasing, as far as general tonnage was concerned. The directors of the New Zealand Shipping Company were trying to charter steamers for next season. Last year the regular shipping lines put on 14 or 15 extra steamers. Similar efforts were being made now, but it was impossible to say yet what the result would be. If the output of wool in the coming season was anything like normal, 12 to 15 extra steamers would be needed. Mi* A. Kaye considered that the Imperial authorities should take action to replace the British vessels lost in submarine warfare by enemy vessels interned in British ports. Another speaker pointed out that a number of enemy ships which had been interned in British ports had already been put into use as transports. In reply to a question, the chairman said that the wool clip during the coming season was likely to be as much, if not heavier, than that of last year. Mr Bennett said that the shipping companies were sanguine of being able to provide sufficient insulated space to clear the freezing works of all old meat. With the provision of additional storage the prospects would become better. He had been told by men who were in a position to speak authoritatively on the subject that there was hardly likely to be the same amount of frozen meat coming forward next season as there was in the early 1 part of the last season. There was no great reason for fearing such a 1 block as there was last season, provided that there was no further great loss of insulated .ships. (Proceeding.)