H.—3Ba

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From Right Hon. the Prime Minister to Hon. the Acting Prime Minister. 15th April, 1919. Insulated tonnage : For three months to 30th June next authorities expect to be available for frozen meat, dairy-produce, loading New Zealand thirty ships. Secondly : Have done my best with regard to rabbits, apples, but owing to frozen meat, dairy-produce, being urgently required for this side at present could get no promise definitely except that as opportunity offers they will continue to take small quantity rabbits, and in three months have promised to review position apples.—Massey. From High Commissioner for New Zealand to Hon. the Acting Prime Minister. Dated 19th April, received 29th April, 1919. Massey while in London this week interviewed Shipping Controller regards insulated tonnage for New Zealand export trade. Following upon interview Maclay now states is anticipated there be available for loading in New Zealand (luring April, May, June, thirty vessels, representing total space about 9,000,000 cubic feet. Proportions of allocations as follows: April, seven steamers, 1,800,000 cubic feet; May. eleven vessels, 3,000,000 ft.; June, twelve, and possibly thirteen, with 4,000,000 ft. space. Must lie understood, however, allocation provisional, as movements vessels uncertain owing strikes, quarantine, other delay.—Mackenzie. From Right Hon. the Prime Minister, Paris, to Hon. the Acting Prime Minister, Wellington. 20th May, 1919. With reference to your telegram of I.4th May, insulated tonnage : In addition to six vessels mentioned in your telegram, am advised officially by Shipping Controller that following vessels allocated June, loading New Zealand: "Devon," "Shropshire," "Suffolk," "Orari." Owing to delay and labour troubles "Mahana," " Essex," "Waimana," which had been allocated June loading, will fall back into July.—Massey. From Secretary of State for the Colonies to Governor-General of New Zealand. Dated 28th May. received 29th May, 1919. With reference to your telegram of 26th March, insulated tonnage : Shipping Controller regrets reply has not been furnished earlier, and states question has been under consideration for some time, and every effort has been made to meet the recognized urgent need for additional refrigerator tonnage in New Zealand. Allocation [of] such tonnage for New Zealand loading is for this month 3,000,000, for June 3,300,000, for July 2,370,000 cubic feet. Figures for May and June represent allocation of 67 per cent., and figures for July of 64 per cent, of the total refrigerator tonnage available for Australasia. These figures are conditional, as vessels may be subject to delay arising from fitting, repairing, and labour difficulties. —MILNHR, From Hon. the Acting Prime Minister to High Commissioner for New Zealand. Bth July, 1919. Insulated tonnage : There are now in freezing-stores throughout the Dominion approximately 8,000,000 601b. freight carcases, and greatest congestion exists. There is still quantity of stock available for killing, which, unless early additional shipping relief is forthcoming, must go back into store condition. As you are aware, instances have occurred of deterioration of meat apparently due to effect of lengthy storage, and in Imperial Government interests better shipping facilities should be provided. In view of your telegrams of 18th January, 25th February, quantity of tonnage made available up to the present time for Dominion requirements is very disappointing. I shall be glad if you will make representations to Shipping Controller and point out urgent necessity for very largely reducing quantity of meat in store before new season commencing November and December next, otherwise position will then be disastrous; and also endeavour to obtain forecast tonnage to be made available during August, September, October, and November. From High Commissioner for New Zealand to Hon. the Acting Prime Minister. 14th July, 1919. Insulated tonnage : With reference to your telegrams of 28th June and Bth July, have made strong representations to Ministry of Shipping, Board of Trade, and Conference lines urging substantial increase of tonnage from New Zealand, and will continue to press matters. Meanwhile I am informed that New Zealand receiving every consideration, but, that it has been found impossible allocate more than 17,000 tons refrigerated space during August. Not less than 30,000-tons will be available September, but no estimate can be given yet for later months, and above estimates may have to lie modified if ships delayed. —Mackenzie. From Hon. the Acting Prime Minister to High Commissioner for New Zealand. 28th July, 1919. With reference to your cablegram of 14th July: Quantity of tonnage indicated quite inadequate for the Dominion Urgent requirements. Delay in arrival steamers will probably mean that the 47,000 tons referred to will be spread over August, September, and October, and after allowing for the dairy-produce shipments quantity of meat in store awaiting shipment at commencement of new season commencing November will amount to approximately 6,000,000 60 Ib. freight carcases. Please make further urgent, representations, and point out it is essential that meat in store should be reduced to 4,000,000 601b. freight carcases by the end of December, otherwise extremely serious position will arise, Also point out, that opinion is general that Australia has