SHORTAGE OF SHIPS.

Colonist, Volume LVIII, Issue 14408, 19 May 1917, Page 6

SHORTAGE OF SHIPS.

AN AUCKLAND SUGGESTION

(Ujjitkd Press Association.)

Auo&telwS, May 16. In connection with the shortage of shipping, Mr. Gunson, tie -Auckland representative of the National Efficiency Board, has forwarded the following telegram to the chairman of the board:—

"It has been sn^gested to me, and it soeir.-s an excellent proposal, that the British Government srcild be requested to_ negotiate with the Canadian and American Gbvernmente to receive and credit the respective Governments with all moat, cheese, sad butter they can take on their western coasts, and" supply from their eastern seaboards to England an equivalent amount of American and Canadian products. The suggestion is that all freight vessels from New Zealand should -be diverted to .the west coast of -"North America. Half the vessels would carry equivalent freights, owing to the short voy--age, and that through seas clear of submarines. I suggest tr at this proposal is of 1 sufficient.. importance to gustily its being communicated at once to the Acting-Prme-iMlnister:*' i -Commenting on the question, Mr. tyunson sa;d there was a large popultvtion on the we,st coast of America, and the cost- of transportation of products from east to west is as great as the cost of sea carriage from New Zealand to ports- on the western seaport , r . Wellington, May 18. Iho ) suggestion mado in Auckland thai, tno New Zealand Govermnent snould simplify the shipping problem by arranging on certain conditions with the imperial authorities to send produce to the West Coast of North America, receives scant support from Wellington, business men.