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is difficult to understand —it is considered that the quantity of meat available will not exceed approximately 7,250,000. Quantity of cheese estimated to be available for shipment during the 1916-17 season is 52,000 tons, as compared with 46,500 tons shipped during the season just ended. From High Commissioner for New Zealand.to Right Hon. the Prime Minister. 12th October, 1916. Referring to your telegram 30th September, giving estimates export meat, cheese, next season: Figures have been submitted to Board of Trade, who reply to the effect that on account of cost of frozen meat being increased considerably by storage charges, and in view of heavy demand for meat, more especially during winter months, Board of Trade will have to give instructions that meat in store should be given priority, and that cheese and other refrigerated produce for shipment on private account must be kept back until the needs of the Army are met. 1915-16. COPIES OF TELEGRAMS BETWEEN THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES AND HIS EXCELLENCY Till] GOVERNOR OF NEW ZEALAND, ETC. From Secretary of State for the Colonies to Governor of New Zealand. Dated 14th May, received 15th May, 1915. With reference to your telegrams of 27th April and 28th April: Board of Trade are prepared to send out " Delphic " in ballast to New Zealand as early as possible. Cost will be £15,000, which will be borne by His Majesty's Government.—Harcourt. From Governor of New Zealand to Secretary of State for the Colonies. sth June, 1915. Shipping: While not wishing in any way to hamper His Majesty's Government, the Government of New Zealand desire to point out that information has been received to the effect that the New Zealand traders "Waimana," "Zealandic," and " Pakeha " have been diverted to the Argentine, and that when this knowledge becomes public there is certain to be great resentment in this Dominion,' in view of the fact that 2,000,000 freight carcases, of which 300,000 are beef and 1,700,000 mutton and lamb, are now waiting to be shipped.—Liverpool. From Secretary of State for the Colonies to Governor of New Zealand. Dated 10th June, received 11th June, 1915. With reference to your telegram dated sth June : The " Waimana " has been chartered for two voyages to the River Plate, the "Pakeha" and "Zealandic" for one voyage each, and only one of these four voyages could possibly have been diverted to New Zealand in time to relieve the existing congestion. The "Pakeha" and the "Zealandic" could only have arrived in New Zealand for August loading, and the " Waimana " on her second voyage considerably later. These fixtures are according to the usual practice of the companies for period during which New Zealand meat trade is, as a rule, small. Moreover, it would be inexpedient to interfere with these vessels in view of the fact that they are carrying frozen meat for the French Army. On the other hand, the "El Cordobes " and "La Blanca " have been diverted from the River Plate to New Zealand, and His Majesty's Government when asked to exercise their power of returning these vessels to the River Plate trade refused to do so. —Bonar Law. From Governor of New Zealand to Secretary of State for the Colonies. 14th January, 1916. Information received that "Waimana " and " lonic " have been commandeered Imperial Government, but Prime Minister hopes that reported information is not correct, as both vessels are urgently required for conveyance of frozen produce and wool. Situation here accentuated by number of ships required for conveyance of troops and horses, and Prime Minister therefore hopes that these two ships will not be withdrawn from the New Zealand trade. —Liverpool. From Secretary of State for the Colonies to Governor of New 'Zealand. Dated 24th January, received 25th January, 1916. I have the honour to inform Your Excellency, in reply to your telegram dated 14th January, that the " lonic " was requisitioned for the conveyance of troops to the Mediterranean, but she will proceed from there to New Zealand, and the requisitioning will not interfere with shipment of cargo homewards. The Admiralty have not requisitioned the " Waimana."—Bonar Law. From Secretary of State for the Colonies to Governor of New Zealand. Dated 28th January, received 29th January, 1916. With reference to my telegram of 24th January: "Waimana" was released by Board of Trade for voyage to bring meat, &c, from China. There was not at the time employment for it in its own trade. It has now left for England, or about to leave, and will immediately after return to normal trade.—Bonar Law.