The Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 1916. QUESTION OF SHIPPING SPACE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1602, 24 August 1916, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 1916. QUESTION OF SHIPPING SPACE.

THE TolloAA’in t; - ;n'e the fuels submitted to the Premier )»y the recent deputation, so far as the millers could at present forsee. It will he seen that i( appears lhat the shippin”' in sight was 45,000 bales short of tin 1 tonnage reijvflred, which, of course, presents a serious outlook. After discussing the matter,, the Premier showed the deputation (hat he had good ground for believing that we have more ships here to lake our produce than we had last year. He assured the deputation Iha I he was giving the matter his deep consideration, and would use his best endeavours to set 1 that the necessary shipping was provided. As Hr \V. 11. Field, .M.P., pointed out, the matter was of vital importance to all engaged in the industry. Fifty thousand seven hundred halt's of wool went to America direct last season, provision has to he mafic for this to England next season; 30,000 hales of (lax went to America, (his may all have to go to England, in any case tonnage lias to he found for it out* way or the other; 70,000 halt's of (lax and low will he produced in New Zealand during danuary-April; 22,000 hales of 11 a x and low were carried by the direct liners last JanuarvApril; 48,000 hides would not he carried if the liners even do as well next January-April as they <1 id last. There is no increased tonnage in sight for wind or llax next season. With the increased quantity of wind and llax for London it would he unwise to rely upon Ihe liners to provide the space next season, and unless something substantial is done tin' industry will he stuck up during the best milling months. The industry could not mill on and store the llax .just on (he chance of tonnage catching up in May-August, as it has done this year. With prices sky-high as they are now to do so might cause linancial disaster and complications with buyers, sellers and royalty owners in the event of the market conditions changing and contracts being cancelled. Last year contract prices were low and oversea buyers were content to give extension of time. Next year conditions are likely to he the reverse. The llax must he shipped promptly to avoid a possible drop of £ls to £2O in the market.