THE SHIP SHORTAGE

Waikato Times, Volume 84, Issue 13207, 24 June 1915, Page 5

THE SHIP SHORTAGE

OUR MEAT AT HOME.

METHODS OF MARKETING

TWO SHIPS SENT TO NEW

ZEALAND

AT IMPERIAL GOVERNMENTS EXPENSE.

LONDON, June 23

Replying to a question by Mr Will Thorne (Labour member for Woolwich) in the House of Commons to-day, Mr Walter Runciman said that the Government was making every effort to remove the accumulation of stocks of meat from Australia and New Zealand as quickly as possible. Two vessels had been sent to New Zealand at the Imperial Government's expense to relieve the situation. Some refrigerated vessels were being used as store ships at ports where cold storage was insufficient, but not in London. The Government was neither asking nor fixing the price of meat, which was being sold on commission according to ihe ordinary market practice. Mr Thorne asked if the advisory committee had drawn up the scheme for the sale of commandeered meat without regard to the nation's needs, but solely to retain certain firms' control over certain brands.

Mr Runciman said that the question involved charges of a grave breach of public duty against Mr T. Mackenzie (High Commissioner for New Zealand) and Sir T. R. Robinson (Agent-General for Queensland), who were distinguished public servants of unquestioned probity. Mr Runciman was satisfied that Sir E. M. Nelson's business interests did not preclude him giving independent advice. No complaints had been made to the Board of Trade about the way sales of meat had been conducted. The market was satisfied with the arrangements, and the Australian and New Zealand Governments assented to the procedure.