EXPORT OF PRODUCE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12070, 27 July 1917, Page 4

EXPORT OF PRODUCE.

SHIPPING DIFFICULTIES,

TLECOMMJSNDATTONS OF THE FARMERS' UNION.

[From Our Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, July 26

The special committee set up by tha raFmers' Union Conference to consider the dairying industry, shipping difficulties and meat trust, reported that in its opinion there were genuine grounds for believing that neither shipping nor meat, control was working satisfactory ily, therefore it made a series of recommendations to he forwarded to the Government of New Zealand urging it to take into consideration reforms which the committee considered urgent/ and essential.

The recommendations urge the Government to centralism shipping and expedite unloading and reloading at one or two central ports. The Gorernment should see that shipping 6pace is apportioned equitably, according to the amount of produce awaiting shipment fit each port. All shipping companies trading to New Zealand and plying for freight and passenger traffic 6hould lie declared Ivy statute law to be common carriers. Immediate, steps should be taken by the Government of New Zealand, either alone or in conjunction wirh the farmers and mercantile firms of the to acquire sufficient ships to relieve- the serious shortage for both intercolonial and Homo trade, and at the same time to be a controlling factor in settling freight rates to be charged and, if necessary, eomp'ulsorily acquire some New Zealand trading ships that have been or are being sold to outside companies.

The Government of New Zealand should communicate and endeavour to arrange for the Imperial Government! to consent to discontinue the system of nomination at this end provided for in connection with the sale of meat to the Imperial authorities, as it is main!? beneficial to such firms as work in conjunction with meat trusts, and that a committeo or individual, answerable only to the Imperial Government, should be appointed to control the unloading of surplus meat n England. Payment should be made on the hook? bv the Govermet.

As it is probable that some millions of sheep and lambs will ho strut outi of the freezing works the farmers of the Dominion are recommended to provide as much winter feed as possible. Representations should be made to the freezing a,nd dairying companies 06 New Zealand to provide further cold storage for butter, cheese and meat. The conference adopted all the recommendations.