A WHISKY SHIPMENT

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 242, 1 July 1918, Page 8

A WHISKY SHIPMENT

« THE POSITION EXPLAINED. ' It was reported a few weeks ago that a vessel had arrived from England at a New Zealand port with 1500 tons of whisky and practically no other cargo. Mr. L. M. Isitt, M.P., telegraphed tho statement to Sir Jitmcs Allen, ActingPrime Minister, who has seiit the following reply:— "I gather from a reliable'source that th° vessel brought out 3560 tons of cargo, 1000 tons of which consisted of whisky. In addition, in response to a telegraphic inquiry, I have just received the following telegram from tho High Commissioner:— " 'With reference to your' telegram of June G, the vessel embarked cargo at — in shallow water under difficult conditions, and-was sent away by the authorities before her departure was expected, and no loading date was 'ixed. This prevented the assembly of long distance rail cargo. I succeeded in shipping salt and chemicals to meet your wishes. With regard to whisky, distillers, taking advantage of local cirstances, were able to assemble goods at short notice, and no special preference was given to them. I had nothing to do with the whisky shipment.' "As you will readily understand, the safety of ships leaving ports in Great Britain is largely dependent on convoys. It lias occurred that particular ships havo boon hurried off, and even when only partially laden, may have left essential cargo behind; but such cases are due to the exigencies of war, and not to some shippers being better informed than others. In any case, it may be taken for granted that the best use possible .under most difficult conditions, is being made of freight space, if for no other reason than tiiat every ton of cargo left behind represents so ■ much money lost to the shipping companies concerned."