SHIPPING SPACE.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 May 1920, Page 4

SHIPPING SPACE.

- REASSURING STATEMENTS. THE QUESTION OF FREIGHTS. WELLINGTON, May 27. . At the producers’ conference to-day, .Mr James Findlay (Shaw, Savill C nipany) said he was unable to give my information as to when the Imperial Government's control of insulated tonnage would end. Speaking for his own con-, p'any, he thought there would be oiiole space available. Mr J. R. Roper (Commonwealth and Dominion Line) said bis company’s war losses bad been replaced by eight larger vessels, and at the end of the year Due would lie two more. There would be space for 2,653,000 carcases per amy.im if the ships made two trips,a year, but there were many delays which vvr.ro against that. Mr J. B. Bullock (New Zealand Shipping Company) said, if the producers would only leave themselves in The hands of the shipping companies, I e was, quite sure they would he absolutely all right. .Air Findlay pointed out that alter providing space for dairy produce mere would be available space for be carriage' of 10,400,000 carcases a year, while New Zealand’s- production was equivalent to 7,000,000 carcases. There; would, in fact., be mpre space available than could actually be filled. . AVl l on asked to say something with reference to future freight rates to be charged bv the shipping comoa-Oos, Mr Findlay said there was not the slightest chance of any information on that point being available at that mom ?nt. The shipping companies would endeavour<to give producers as cheap' a rate as they possibly could —distance for distance, s s cheap as any country ill the weed—but when it came to saying vv lat the freights would ho, he must say “ no ’;

it was useless te try to corkscrew out of him any opinion at all as +o wlr.t the freights would be. The conference at this stage adjourned for a separate discussion of the particular interests of producers, shipowners, freezing companies, and exporters. Mr Massey said he had been 1 rj nig to find out when the Imperial Gov, rnment would relinquish its control of shipping, but he had not so far been successful. However, lie did not think it would last much longer. He referred to insulated tonnage. There w 251 British insulated vessels, and 51 mere: building as at December 31st 'i.st