AUSTRALIAN IMPORTS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 2, 27 September 1918, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN IMPORTS

MINISTER REPLIES TO CRITICS.

The''Hon. Arthur Myers, Minister in Charge of Munitions audi Supplies, when invited to comment on the statement recently ; published in a Christchurch paper to the effect that rice had been shut out of . intercolonial boats on the instruction given to shipping companies by an agent appointed by the Government, 'stated that the last three boats which had come over from Sydney had brought about two thousand bags of rice.

"The position in regard to the utilisation of freight space between Australia and Neiv Zealand," remarked Mr. Mj«rs, "is tlmt' there is more cargo awaiting shipment at Australian ports than th#re is tonnage available to lift same to New Zealand. As a result of action taken by me, shipping companies have given attention to several isolated orders for important merchandise required in the Dominion, the absence of which would affeot the continuance of, our industries. A suggestion was made to me that preferential lists should he drawn up indicating tho order in which the goods should be considered for shipment, but on going into this matter I .find the nature of the merchandise usually flowing from Australia to New Zealand is of a seasonable nature, not lending itself to treatment of this kind. Therefore, it is not intended to take.action on those lines. My desire, is to disturb as'little as possible the existing commercial practice, but the requirements of the Dominion, are such that it is undesirable for the limited shipping space available tO| be utilised without careful attention to those commodities most needod for the welfare of the Dominion. Early this month I requested the New Zealatid Government agents at Sydney i-.ntl Melbourne to approach the shipping companies concerned, asking them te favourably regard- applications for superphosphates,, potatoes, onions, pollard,, and lines of . seed grain,; the understanding . being that this request would be reviewed early next month, < /

"I desire to make it clear that the Now Zealand-Government has not sent an official to Australia for the purpose of regulating the cargo space, in cooperation with the shipping companies concerned. To prevent confusion, 'it will bo appreciated if consignors continue to make their applications for space direct to the shipping companies interested in Australia, then, in. the event of the shipping companies finding themselves unable to. give the attention which such consignors regard as reasonable, I will be pleased, (it the request of the consignees in New Zealand, to consider whether any representation can be made by the New Zealand Government to the shipping companies. . Should I find justification for requesting the 'shipping companies to' afford better attention than ,they found themselves able to give at the request of the original applicant, then I will direct the New Zealand Government agent concerncd to make suitable representations' in regard to the matter.

Merchants and others in Neiv Zealand affected by the. procedure outlined above may rely on prompt attention being given by my Department to any requests made to me in this connection."