SHIPS FOR FROZEN MEAT

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2350, 5 January 1915, Page 6

SHIPS FOR FROZEN MEAT

NO SHORTAGE STATEMENT BY THE PRIME ' . 4 MINISTER An important statement as to tha ships available to carry New Zealand frozen meat was made by the Prime Minister (the Right Hon.'W. F. Masse.Y) to a Dominion reporter yesterday. "For the month of January, 1916, an estimate was prepared based on the shipments foi the month of January during tho three previous years, and having special regard to the fact that January shipments of last year were abnormally large, on account of the dislocation of regular business brought about by the strike; This estimate showed thatf seven steamers would be required with an- average capacity 'of,say, 100,000 carcasses. Earlier in the .season it appeared that ample tonnage would be available for January, but calculations have been upset te Borne extent by - the fact that meat shipments, during, December, were larger, than usual (partly on account of weather conditions, , and partly, on account of market conditions in Europe), and two fihipa at any rate which had been set down as available for January loading., were practically loaded with December produce, viz.,. Mamari and Kia Ora. - This left then the Orari, Whakatane, Somerset, Waiwera, Dalghic, Indrapura; El Cordobcs, and Buteshire to cope with January shipments. These boats have a capacity of approximately 707,600 freight carcasses, which, based'on a normal year's shipments of meat and dairy produoe for the month of January, with due. allowanoe made for' increased production from year to year should be sufficient to cope" with requirements. It must be borne in mind ( however, that climatic condition* continue abnormal in. some parts of country, and' that market conditions in Europe are quite unusual, and therefore noDody can be expected to accurately gauge beforehand the output of frozen meat for the month. "For February the Otaki ; Remuera, Waimate, Kaikoura, Makarmi, Corinthic, Waimana, Athehic, Niwaru (total nine) with a capacity of 930,000 carcasses will be available. In addition, the Hawke's Bay leaves _ London on January 7, and will be available before the end of February. Four boats which carried troops are returning to New Zealand, viz., Athenic, Waimana, Orari, and Hawke's Bay. Also the Muritai, which, in consequence of efforts made by the Government, has been released by the Admiralty, can leave London on January 17,' and will be available for early March loading. "Telegrams have been sent ■ to all freezing works to the following effect:— "Greaty obliged if would inform me how'your company situ-' ated regarding space for January ' shipments so faT as can; be known at present time." "The replies so far reeoived are with one exception satisfactory, and steps nre_ being taken to see how far the position can be eased in this case. •"Endeavours were made to obtain t«ho Marere and Star of Victoria, now on the way to Australia, but" the information about them was that they could not be made available for New Zealand produoe. ;

"Up to the present no difficulty has been experienced in the carriage of dairy produoe.

- "The-Government are paying part compensation for those transports which are . brought back in ballast in order to take up their ordinary Tunning at the earliest possible date."