SHIPPING FACILITIES

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2383, 12 February 1915, Page 6

SHIPPING FACILITIES

STATEMENT BY MR. MASSEY. ' j . (Br TeJeotash.—JLtsodfttt** J j . Auckland, February 11. Commenting on an announcement that the Islington and Belfast Freezing Works were to be' closed down short- 1 ly, the Prime Minister stated this evening thaUhe did not think the position was so serious, as the companies' circulars indicated. The angemente made by the Government lii co-opera-tion with the shipping companies, were sufficient to absorb the- output of : refrigerated produce until the end of the month. The position after that was not so satisfactory. "The arrangement of shipping facilities has not been free from difficulties," Mr. Massey remarked; "Recently the Government conducted negotiations to secure a 'very large meat-carrying steamer to assist-in the transport of the Dominion's produce in order to avoid delay, ana it was' intended that this • vessel should proceed : to New.. Zealand in ballast. The company owing - the steamer asked for a payment'of £10,000, this sum representing the value of the freight on a full cargo from England. With a view to securing this large addition to the 'shipping space, the Government communicated . with various freezing 'com-! panies, advising them that the Government would pay £5000 if they would contribute the balance. The companies declined to enter into the arrangement, although it represented an additional cost of less than one shilling a carcass. Consequently the extra space was not obtained." ' !