DOMINION PRODUCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 November 1917, Page 1

DOMINION PRODUCE.

PURCHASE BY IMPERIAL GOVERNMENT.

AUCKLAND November 19,

Particulars regarding the requisition by the Imperial Government °i the produce of the Dominion, and the arrangements being made to liandle the present season’s output were supplied in an .interview with Mr. Massey “The quantity of meat estimated to remain in store at the end of November will amount to approximately 2,000,000 601 b carcases’, als against 161,311 on the same date last year,” said the Prime Minister.' “A great deal has been done .in the direction of providing further storage accommodation at the freezing works, and thi s new storage, when completed, will provide space for an additional 1,332,700 60lb carcases of which 720,700 will he in the North Island and 603,00 q in the South Island. The completion of additions and extensions is to a great extent dependent upon the arrival of the necessary material, but a very large proportion should be available this season.

“Space for a considerable quantity of new season’s cheese will be available in steamers leaving this month The total number of crates exported from the Dominion during the twelve months ended October 31, 1917 amounted to 496,357 crates, valued at £3,102,231. Tb,e total shipments of butter from the Dominion during the twelve months ended i/etober 31 last amounted to 781,643 boxse. “In .regard to wool practically the whole of the 1916-17 clip has now been valued. Since the commencement of the Imperial Government requisition 501,301 bales of wool had been shipped. The Imperial Government had expressed it s desire to continue the purchase of freezing companies’ slipe wool on the same terms as last year, and this matter was now receiving attention. “A statement has been made that the arrangements for tlie sale of the dairy produce of the Dominion have boon very protracted,” said the Prime Minister in a speech at Tuakatt. ‘Prices have now been fixed and most of tlie conditions arranged with the Imperial authorities, and the prices are slightly better than most people imagine. lam just in receipt of important advice from the Imperial Government about the. matter, and prices and conditions will he announced by me in Wellington to representatives of the industry when I return. The responsibility will he placed upon the Imperial Government to see that sufficient shipping is provided to take the produce to .Britain.. Our representative at Home, hacked by our own representations, was unable to induce the Food Controller to make a short advance oh supplies of butter atid cheese going into store this month. After a certain amount of difficulty—because' it was not really provided for by Parliament—the Finance Minister '■and myself have been able to make arrangements for an advance of £5 a crate for cheese and £3 a box on buttin' from Government funds for this mouth, to enable dairy companies to meet their obligations. Tt is practically certain' that within the next few days the whole of the details will he settled and by next month the Imperial Government will have taken over part of the produce, for which the money will he immediatelv available.”