3

H.—3BA

From High Commissioner for New Zealand to Right Hon. the Prime Minister. 19th December, 1914. In reply to your telegram of 18th December : All arrangements for return to the Dominion of " Athenic," " Waimana," and " Orari " I have made this end as per my telegrams 7th December, 10th December, and lllh December. Secondly: Have been in close contact with Admiralty and Godley re other transports, and notice of discharge already served on companies, whilst arrangements as to refitting, &c, are on hand. From High Commissioner for New Zealand to Right Hon. the Prime Minister. 24th December, 1914. With reference to my telegram of 18th December : " Orari " left Egypt 22nd December. From High Commissioner for New Zealand to Right Hon. the Prime Minister. Ist January, 1915. Transports " Athenic," " Waimana " : Will you settle with Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company question of liabilities colonial wages, and also space and freight cargo returned in vessels? From Right Hon. the Prime Minister to High Commissioner for New Zealand. 30th November, 1914. Please do all that is possible to expedite return of as many transports New Zealand Expeditionary Force as possible, as we are going to be short of insulated ships from the end of January onwards to the end of the season. . From Right Hon. the Prime Minister to High Commissioner for New Zealand. 7th January, 1915. Inquire whether any insulated steamers are available suitable for carrying frozen meat which could come out to New Zealand at once and return when loaded. Give names, carrying-capacity in carcases, and terms under which they could be obtained. From High Commissioner for New Zealand to Right Hon. the Prime Minister. Bth January, 1915. " Niwaru," now at Melbourne, due New Zealand 23rd January, can take 91,600 carcases; " Makarini," now Sydney, due New Zealand 24th January, 119,875 carcases; " Mimiro," now Sydney, due New Zealand 13th February, 85,880 carcases ; " Star of Australia," due New Zealand 14th March, 79,000 carcases; " Hawke's Bay," due New Zealand 27th March, 120,200 carcases; " Muritai," in ballast, due New Zealand March; 107,250 carcases; " Tainui," due Wellington 23rd February, 95,900 carcases; "Kumara," due Wellington 15th March, 80,800; " Pakelia," due Whangarei end of March, 115,000; "Arawa," due Auckland 10th April, 95,600; " Rangatira," due .Auckland end of April, 106,300; " Zealandic," due Auckland 30th March, 115,000; " lonic," due Wellington 23rd March, 106,500; " Tokomaru," due New Zealand about 10th May, 91.800; " Mamari," due Wellington 20th April, 99,400;. " Kia Ora," due Dunedin 29th April, 94,400; "Remuera," during February, 107,000; "Kaikoura," during February, 100,500; "Orari," during February, 103,400; " Ruapehu," during April. 92,800; " Ruahine," during March, 104,000; " Rotorua," during April, 107,000. Unable to send out any in ballast. " Arawa " being utilized as cargo-boat. From Right Hon. the Prime Minister to High Commissioner for New Zealand. 2nd February, 1915. Anxious to know if any insulated steamers owned by the New Zealand Shipping Company, Shaw-Savill, Commonwealth and Dominion Line, or New Zealand and African, and now utilized by Admiralty, can be released this month. Make strong representations this direction. Mealexport trade, including Army contracts, may be seriously affected owing to want of insulated space. From High Commissioner for New Zealand to Right Hon. the Prime Minister. 2nd February, 1915. In reply to your telegrams of Ist February and 2nd February; Very full inquiries have been made from all shipowners, and cannot succeed securing further tonnage owing to commitments here for outward freightage and increased freightage from Australia and Argentine. From llion Commissioner for New ■Zealand to Right lion, the Prime Minister. 3rd February, 1915. Inform me what is the tonnage required per month between now and June, and I will endeavour to arrange with shipping companies accordingly. From Right Hon. the Prime Minister to High Commissioner for New Zealand. sth February, 1915. Estimated thai from February Io July inclusive insulated space will be required for 5,100,000 carcases. For February, March, and April, insulated space for approximately 2,500,000 now believed to be available, whereas there should be at least space for these three months amounting to about 500,000 more, leaving a requirement for May, June, and July of 2,100,000.