18

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Commonwealth of Australia for the conveyance of Australian wheat to United Kingdom. In view of urgent necessity for providing additional tonnage for conveyance of frozen meat from Dominion I therefore trust Board of Trade will arrange for " Makarini " not to be used for the purpose indicated. From Right Hon. the Prime Minister to High Commissioner for New Zealand. 3rd March, 1916. With reference to my telegrams of 15th and 25th February, and your telegram of 21st February : I am particularly anxious to be made aware at the earliest possible moment when the promise of the Board of Trade, referred to in your telegram of 21st February, is likely to be fulfilled. Several freezing-works are already on the verge of closing down. From High Commissioner for New Zealand to Right Hon. the Prime Minister. 3rd March 1916. In reply to your telegram of 3rd March on subject of insulated tonnage : I am continually keeping urgent needs of New Zealand before the Board of Trade. At meeting of Tonnage Committee next week will do all possible to influence diversion of more steamers to New Zealand. From High Commissioner for New Zealand to Right Hon. the Prime Minister. 6th March, 1916. Referring to your telegram 26th February: Board of Trade state that "Makarini" available for New 'Zealand meat, and left Commonwealth of Australia 3rd March for New Zealand. Tonnage Committee doing all possible to secure further steamers. From High Commissioner for New Zealand to Right Hon. the Prime Minister. 9th March, 1916. With reference to your telegram 3rd March on subject of insulated tonnage: At meeting of Tonnage Committee yesterday it was arranged that following steamers should be allotted to New Zealand for loading during May: "Indralema," "Remuera," ' Rangatira," " Mamari," " Matatua," "Whakarua," "Middlesex," " Mimiro." From Right Hon. the Prime Minister to High Commissioner for New Zealand. 17th May, 1916. After taking into full account carrying-capacities of steamers available for June-July loading, it is found that on 30th Juno there will remain in store approximately 2,100,000 601b. carcases, and at the end of July 1,800,000. Please make urgent representations to Board of Trade and London Tonnage Committee with object of ensuring further steamers be made available, particularly in June, to enable these stocks of meat on hand to become more appreciably reduced, otherwise there will remain a large amount in store when the new season operations commence. Suggest for consideration of Board of Trade, if no other means are available for giving effect to my request, that transports from Australia be utilized, similarly as has been done with the " Afric " and " Borda." The promptest despatch will be guaranteed any such vessels. From High Commissioner for New Zealand to Right Hon. the Prime Minister. 18th May, 1916. In reply to your telegram 17th May on subject of insulated tonnage : I am making representations to Board of Trade and Tonnage Committee, and I am impressing on them urgent necessity for additional steamers for June and July. In consequence of representations here Bonar Law cabled Government of Australia requesting that other transports be made available for New 'Zealand, but received on 11th May reply to the effect that all available insulated tonnage would be required for conveyance of Queensland meat. From High Commissioner for New Zealand to Right Hon. the Prime Minister. 22nd May, 1916. Referring to my telegram 18th May : Tonnage Committee here have been in communication with Australian Committee with a view to augmenting June and July sailing from New Zealand, and telegram to following effect received from Sydney Committee, 18th May : Australia also short of tonnage, but were pressing Navy Office for additional refrigerated transports for Queensland loading in order to enable requisitioned steamers to be released for New Zealand. But following telegram received from Sydney Committee, 20th May : Transports which Navy can give to assist us July do not reach our anticipations; afraid Australia will also be short. From Right Hon. the Prime Minister to High Commissioner for New Zealand. 24th May, 1916. With reference to your telegram 18th May re insulated tonnage: Impress upon Board of Trade again necessity for further steamers being made available in July in order to provide a reasonable clearance of freezing-stores before the new season's operations commence; and would be glad if you would draw attention of Board of Trade to the large sums of money now being paid for storage, and which must continue to be paid unless the required relief is provided. Am informed that the average monthly payments made this year under this heading amount to approximately £50,000.