EXPORT OF MEAT

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2421, 29 March 1915, Page 7

EXPORT OF MEAT

'A' RECORD FOR FEBRUARY. ' "Approximately, we shipped from New Zealand a million carcasses of mutton and lamb during the month of February," i'said the Prime Minister in conversation with a Dominion reporter yesterday. "None of this meat was, however, shipped to the order of the Imperial Government, for operations on their behalf did not commence till Maich 3. I think these figures constitute a record'export for one month. "The difficulties caused by the short supply of ships to carry our meat are not now so acute as they were, but there are not yet ships enough. From 'June 1 • the indications are that there will, he a sufficient number of . ships available for our purposes, but for May definite arrangements 'have not been made by the shipping companies. These arrangements are being made in London hy a committee of shipowners working with the Board of Trade, and also .with a committee of shipowners here. '•"The Board of Trade, acting for the Imperial Government in the meat supply business, has agreed to an increase in the rates of freight on meat, which increase the Board of Trade will pay. This increase, has beon made 'as a result of representations made by me on behalf of the New Zealand Government with regard to the scarcity of insulated ships.' for our trade. From the Argentine the freights for frozen meat were some 50 per cent, higher, and from Australia about 25 per cent, higher than the freights obtainable for New Zealand cargoes."