MUNITIONS AND SUPPLIES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 56, 30 November 1918, Page 9

MUNITIONS AND SUPPLIES

ACTIVITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT The Hon. Arthur Myers, Minister in Charge of Munitions and Supplies, made a statement to a representative of The Dominion in regard to the continuity of his Department now that hostilities had ceased; The Minister stated that as regards priority permits, tho work 'had. already dropped considerably, and he was at present in communication with tho High Commissioner, inquiring as to what the wishes of the Imperial' authorities were in this connection. It: would appear that the Ministry of Munitions in the United Kingdom would gradually reins control over the export of various commodities, but until such relaxation they would exercise a supervision over the various orders executed, and, therefore, no donbt, they would meantime require his comments on the local aspect of each order. As regards coal control, this work during the Inst two years had involved 1 considerable discretion to secure the continuity of business to the satisfaction of all interests. The Minister signified he was disposed to relinquish control as soon, as conditions warranted nich a step. As regards the control of petrol, the situation largely depended on Hie facilities afforded by the U.S.A. and British Governments for export. The Minister hoped shortly to" secure useful information which, when received, he would place before the Board of Trade, who would no doubt, in considering same,, consult the representative oil trade committee, with-whom they have, so far, cooperated when tendering advice on important questions arising, out of the control.

During the last throe years; Hie Minister has .controlled, the expenditure: of about o&l,000,000, which has procured \ipivards of 90,000.000.articles. 'At. the present time the Department is J.nisy cancelling and adjusting existing contracts to meet the demobilisation proMwlmg in the training camps. Xlui Minister is able to report that he and his advisers have for some months past acted on the side of caution in arranging i"resh contracts, and consequently the Department is not involved in commitments beyond those reasonably necessary to procure needful supplies. This, policy will also havo its bearing on the stocks held in the military stores when peace is finally reached.

As regards shipping, especially as far as it affected tho tonnage available inwards to New Zealand from Australia, the Minister expressed the hope that the .situation would improve early next year, but the present dislocation due to the prevailing epidemic made it difficult for him to say that a definite improvement could be expected at an early date. For some time past the importations of coal have been down to the barest minimum, whilst hardwood required for many important undertakings has received no attention whatever for some time past. Looking to the future, the Minister expects lo see more tonnage employed next; year in the importation of wheat than was the case this year, but no doubt, under the altered conditions, transhipment cargoes landed at Sydney and Melbourne would decrease, whilst there should be a prospect of tonnage available for intercolonial employment increasing during 1919, instead of being depleted by tho necessities of war pressure, as our experience proved during 1918. At the pr.esent time the Department is in frequent collaboration with the officials of the Union and other shipping companies concerned, and who are endeavouring to utilise Hie limited space- available to the best advantage of the Dominion. This work occasions considerable discernment, but for. Innately all businesses affected hnve so far been maintained, and those interested have patriotically accepted the decisions which pressure of circumstances have imposed. When this branch of the Department work can lie discontinued the Minister will be exceedingly pleased to return to the old order of business procedure, which is conducted exclusively between the companies and their clients.