THE NEXT SEASON'S STEAMERS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2622, 18 November 1915, Page 6

THE NEXT SEASON'S STEAMERS

OUTLOOK SATISFACTORY LETTER FROM THE PRIME MINISTER. At the mooting of the Executive Committee of tho Associated New Zealand Chambers of Commerce held here on Tuesday, tlio following letter from tho Primo Minister on tho subject of insulated steamers for the coming season was read:— "With further reference to your letter of the 29th ult., I have now to advise that a letter has been received from the chairman of the New Zealand Overseas Shipowners' Committee on the subject matter of' your letter which reads as follows:—

" 'Tho allocation of insulated steamers to the Now Zealand trado rests with the London Tonnage Committee and tho Imperial Board of Trade. This committee considers it is too early to expect any forecast from London regarding tho number of steamers which will be sot aside for the carriage of frozen cargoes from New Zealand from January to the end of. the season, but a.: tho London Committee is in possession of very full estimates of anticipated shipments up to September next, my committee has no cause Ito doubt that reasonably adonuate provision will bo_ made for New Zealand's needs in this Tespect. With regard to ecneral cargo, several of the lines have under consideration tho supplementing of existing tonnage by means of chartered steamers, should necessity demand it, and this committee believes it will be found that the lines are in d position to copo with tlio quantity of general cargo available for export.' K

1 'With reference to securing the services of internet! enemy ships for the Now Zealand trade, I would mention that as far hack as July last the Government made full inquiries both in London and Australia with this object, but replies wero received in each instance feat there were none of. these vessels available for New Zealand."