SHORTAGE OF SHIPS

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2245, 3 September 1914, Page 8

SHORTAGE OF SHIPS

FOE, CARRIAGE- OF DAIRY PRO- . . DUCE. r -.The. almost certainty that there will be difficulty in securing space in steamers, for the carriage of dairy produce from New Zealand to London. during the season just.opening was brought under the/notice of the Prime Minister by a : deputation representative L of dairying interests in the North Island last night. Mr.' A. Morton, , , chairman of the National Dairy Association, said -that owing to the Government -.having. re-' (juisitiojied a number of steamers for transports, it seemed to be certain that there would not be a sufficient number of steamers availablo with refrigerated space to carry their produce to London. The companies with whom tho association had contracts, the Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company and the New Zealand Shipping Company, had assured him that they would be practically unable to carry produce in terms of their contracts. What had already been done in the matter of the commandeering of : ships was, of course, irrevocable, but he would suggest that the Government, if it should be found necessary to take other ships, should take snips which had up insulated or refrigerated space. : The number of ships, with refrigerated spaco trading to New Zea,land at normal times was not more than sufficient, and the number available would be greatly reduced this year. -An other matter. he' wished to urge was that as there was a possibility of'dairy produce being held back in stores here, and also a, possibility that the banks might riot care to make advances on store warrants, the Government might consider the- advisability of guaranteeing or indemnifying banks against loss on any such advances. . ■ ■ • Mr. Massey: What is the difficulty? • Mr. Morton: The banks might be short of cash, and unable to do it. Mr. Massey (laughing): Do not suggest that. The banks doing business in New Zealand are in an exceptionally strong position at the present moment. Mr. Morton agreed" that there was no ground-for anxiety on this point. I "I can assure you the Government recognise , - ihe absolute necessity of enabling the business of tho country to be carried, on," said the Prime Minister -..in; ; :Tenly. "Whatever may happen nothing will be left undone to ensure -that ships -will be provided to carry our "'products to the markets of the world." /Mr. Massey said his Departmental officers had informed him that there would be sufficient ships available when the export season begins, and the Government would take care to protect the interests of the primary industries. If sufficient space cbuld'not be provided by the' regular companies ;ctjier arrangements must be I made, but he did not'think this would bo necessary. Mr. Massey added that ho was informed by the Minister of Finance that one of the steamers which had. been • detained for service as a transport had been released and was 'how available for-the. export trade. "I do not think there need be any alarm," final assurance.