INCREASED COLD STORAGE IN ENGLAND

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 87, 5 January 1918, Page 11

INCREASED COLD STORAGE IN ENGLAND

10,000,000 MORE CUBIC FEET TO BE PROVIDED. ' A largo extension of the cold storage accommodation i:i tho . country, with a, view to facilitating the preservation of food supplies, was announced recently by Mr. John Wardle, Director of Cold Storngo and Inland Transport of Food, who was tho principal guest of the Cold Storage and lec Association at luncheon at the Waldorf Hotel. The President, Sir Thomas Mackenzie (High Commissioner for New Zealand), was in tho chair. Mr. Gilbert Anderson, proposing Mr. Wardlo's health; said that the refrigerating accommodation" of this country when the war broke out was somo 30,000,000 cubic feet, one-third of which was in the London area. Not only, had there been no addition to tho storage capacity, but to the great surprise of those interested in the trade, the refrigerating stores which wero being completed wero not allowed to ho finished. The large refrigerating storo and sorting shed for the quick dis- | charge of steamers of the Port of London Authority, capablo of holding 500.000 freight carcasses, was not allowed to bo completed; but he understood, that, mainlv through the influence of Mr. Wardle, this would now bo completed at an early date. The 30,000,000 cubic feet of storage represented the capacity for a very limited reservo of stock, and it was estimated that this capacity was equal to only' about six weeks' supply. But for tho supplies of refrigerated meat to our largo armies and those of our Allies in the field, it would have been impossiblo to carry on the war. Mr. Wardle, responding to the toast, said that it had been decided to hold at least' a three months' supply of food in the country. For the safety of the nation he felt that 10,000,000 cubic feet of additional cold storage spaco should bo provided at the earliest possible moment. Of tho new space already arranged for, the cost of which waß about £500.000, not one penny had been, or would be, provided by tho Government. In the many cases, however, whore private firms could not raise the capital required for extension purposes the Government had come to their assistance and lent money at a fixed rate of interest, the whole amount j to he repaid fivo yoars after the end of the war. Sir Thomas Mackenzie, roplyinn to the toast of "The Cold Storage and Ira | Association," said that there was sufficient "food n>adv for shipment in New Zealand ; to fill 60 ships, but there was not tho necessary tonnage available.