THE MEAT TRADE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 73, 27 March 1941, Page 6

THE MEAT TRADE

SHIPPING FACILITIES

REFRIGERATED SPACE

COMPANIES' VIEW

A reply to a suggestion that it might be possible to relieve the meatexport position to some extent by increasing the refrigerated space at present available in ships engaged in the New Zealand trade was, made by the Prime.Minister (Mr. Fraser) in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon. The previous night Mr. W. J. Poison (National, .Stratford) had said that he had been advised that it was possible to increase the refrigerated space in ships trading to the Dominion. Mr. Fraser at the time said that it was a point worth inquiring into, and yesterday afternoon he read a.report from the general manager of one of the shipping companies, in which he said the other shipping companies concurred, setting, out difficulties that would be involved.

The report read by Mr. Fraser stated that it was necessary when planning a ship to decide on the proportions of both refrigerated and general cargo that the ship was designed to carry. The refrigerating machinery necessary for the proportion of refrigerated cargo was installed accordingly. It was not economic to insulate entirely a ship for. the New. Zealand trade, because such a large proportion of general cargo had to be carried.

EFFICIENT VESSELS.

"The vessels engaged in the New Zealand trade," the report added, "have been designed after years of experience and are probably the most efficient vessels of their kind in the world.

"In view of the present crisis it might be considered that more insulated space should be provided, but under the present circumstances it would be extremely difficult to obtain the machinery and the material to increase the insulated capacities of the existing vessels and would cause serious delays to them in the process of increasing the insulation, even if it were possible."

Mr. Fraser said that the marine superintendent of the Shaw Savill Co. stated definitely that it was quite impossible to get the insulating plant in'the United Kingdom, and that, even if it were available and whatever space was convertible or could be converted, the time lost would outdo any advantage in this respect. He could only say what the opinion was of the shipping companies. "It is a case of doctors differing," commented Mr. Poison.