A MILLION EXTRA.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1632, 2 November 1916, Page 2

A MILLION EXTRA.

A HR AN(J EM ENTS e-ontirmed by the meat producers with the l Impe-rial (lovernmemt will mean, says the l Hon. AV. D. E. MacDonalel, Ministem for Agriculture, an additional million return to New Zealand mealraise>rs this season. The eonfertmi-e was pracliemlly unanimous in accepting the new scale. The result has been cabled to Mr Massey. The l scale will opium I e as from Oededmr 20th. The only thing not set Beil by Thursday's conference was the 1 storage rate payable l to New Zemhand free-zing companies by the Im-pe-rial Government. The hatter e-on-siders there should be a reduction on the present e-harge of killing. The l pi'iiu l iindueles a month’s storage; them one-eighth of a penny is payable for the next three months. In

ninny cases last season t lk* Imperial Government had to leave the meal stored for several months, (he result being high storage charges. Over £750,000 was [laid on this account last year. The freezing companies, after considering the question fully, having regard to the increased cost of (heir operations, an* prepared to meet the Imperial Government, hut the question has not been finally settled, in view of the tone of the conference, Mr MacDonald feels sure the freezing companies will make a fair and reasonable offer. Questioned about the season's shipping facilities, the Minister said. “Cabled advice from England stated that owing to heavy cost of storage the Imperial Government must give preference to its own produce, but will do its utmost to provide for butter and cheese consigned by private linns. 1 am cabling Mr "Massey on the question, and I am satisfied that he will use every effort to get the maximum amount of shipping space. The position (his season is somewhat heller, because transports will be partly used for refrigerated cargo, but there is a great deal of freight besides refrigerated. Details are

boint;' secured from Iho shipping companies of flic available tonnage. 'l'hc only possibility of dilticultv would be (lie loss of ships.” Asked if anomalies in Hie purchase syslem complained of by New Zealand producers had been reel died, Mr MacDonald replied: The Imperial (government declined to admit the sellers' right to control the disposal of sold goods. Evidence in my possession does not bear out complaints seriously. Buyers for English consumption have to compete in the open market against others. Both Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward fully realise the position, and anything possible will be done. I think we can leave it with conJidence to (hem to pul things on a fair fooling."