34

H.—3Ba

100 cubic feet. February loading—general 132,000, refrigerated 18,000; March loading—general 27,000, refrigerated 11,492; April loading—general 80,300, refrigerated 31,370. Shipping Controller welcomes the hopeful indication afforded by these figures that the period of congestion and embarrassment in New Zealand, which it has been his constant endeavour to alleviate, will soon be at an end. —Milner. b'rom Hon. the Acting Prime Minister to High Commissioner for New Zealand. 20th February, 1919. Insulated tonnage i Position of freezing industry is becoming very serious owing shortness of shipping facilities. A number of freezing-works are already closing down, and there is a large quantity of stock available which must suffer deterioration unless it can be promptly treated. Please make urgent representations to Shipping Controller to provide additional insulated tonnage at earliest date possible and telegraph reply. , Would also appreciate a forecast of tonnage to be made available for loading in Dominion during April, May, and June. From High Commissioner for New Zealand to Hon. the Acting Prime Minister. 25th February, 1919. Insulated tonnage: With reference to your telegram of 20th February have made representations to Ministry of Shipping, and I am verbally informed that programme given my telegram of 18th January remains unaltered, and that space mentioned will be available, but that delay occurring owing to labour troubles and epidemics. Same causes prevent reliable forecast tonnage likely to be available for months mentioned. I am informed that up to end of April sixteen insulated steamers will be diverted to Australasian trade. —Mackenzie. From Hon. the Acting Prime Minister to Right Hon. the Prime Minister, London. 3rd March, 1919. Insulated tonnage : Lack of insulated tonnage is seriously affecting meat-freezing and kindred interests. A number of freezing-works are already full and must close down, and there is a large quantity of stock available which must suffer deterioration and cause heavy loss unless it can be treated promptly. I have represented position to High Commissioner on 20th instant, and iNew Zealand Overseas Shipowners' Committee also placed position before London Tonnage Committee, who have replied that allotment of tonnage has been made in conjunction with Board of Trade, Ministry of Shipping, and Food Controller, and cannot be increased. There are only five insulated steamers available for late March and early April loading—namely, " Port Melbourne," "Hororata," "Ajana," "Athenic," "Rimutaka"; and the only further vessels advised as being allocated to Dominion, but whose loading dates are at present unknown, are " Corinthic," "Armagh," " Raranga," "Kaikoura," "lonic," " Tainui," and it is estimated that the majority of these will not be available for homeward loading from Dominion before end of April or during May. It is earnestly hoped that the Ministry of Shipping will be able to arrange a better provision for this Dominion's urgent requirements at an early date to enable a very serious situation to be met. Would suggest that it may be possible to transfer tonnage from Australia for the purpose. From Hon. the Acting Prime Minister to Right Hon. the Prime Minister, London. 3rd March, ■ 1919. Insulated tonnage: With reference to my telegram of to-day, quantities in store at present are approximately —Frozen meat, 4,917,508 freight carcases; butter, 230,073 boxes; cheese, 478,620 crates; as compared with 1,936,575, 402,049, and 204,732 respectively twelve months ago. On Ist January the respective quantities of refrigerated cargo awaiting shipment in Australia and New Zealand were —New Zealand, 148,000 tons; Australia, 50,000. It is hoped the foregoing information will convince Shipping Controller of the urgent necessity for increase in Dominion tonnage allocation at earliest possible moment. From Right Hon. the Prime Minister, Paris, to Hon. the Acting Prime Minister, Wellington. 6th March, 1919. With reference to your telegram of 3rd March, insulated tonnage : Making urgent representations to Ministry of Shipping, Board of Trade, and Food Controller accordingly. From Secretary of State for the Colonies to Governor-General of New Zealand. Dated 10th March, received 12th March, 1919. My telegram of 25th January: Shipping Controller states that owing principally to labour troubles several refrigerated vessels which should have been en route for New Zealand still retained here. Now found impossible for five vessels capable lifting 16,000 tons meat anticipated to be available April to be in position to leave New Zealand before end of May and early in June. These unforeseen delays, which have seriously affected shipping and food programmes, greatly regretted by Shipping Controller, and question lias received ceaseless attention by all Departments concerned, but unfortunately found impossible improve matters. Alternative of despatching vessels in ballast without troops would have jeopardized repatriation programme, and moreover was not practicable, as vessels require repairs.—Milner.