THE SHIPPING PROBLEM.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1881, 24 September 1918, Page 3

THE SHIPPING PROBLEM.

OUTLOOK FOR THE SEASON.

STATEMENT BY A MINISTER

PRODUCERS CAUTIONED

In view of the meat and dairy produce shipping prospects for the 1918-19 season, the Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald (Minister for Agriculture), points out in a statement for public information that although the shipping position up to the end of the year is known, there is no certainty as to what number of ships will be available after Ist January. The Prime Minister and Sir Joseph Ward while in London did everything possible to secure an adequate supply of refrigerated shipping space for the season’s produce. If the same number of ships is available as was the case this year between January and July, the position will be fairly satisfactory considering all the circumstances; but there is at the present time.no certainly regarding this, and farmers would he wise to lake the precaution of ensuring that a sufficient supply of winter feed is available for carrying over a proportion of their stock in the evenl of the shipping position developing in such a, way as to render this necessary. Consideration had been given lately to the question of conserving refrigerated storage space by canning a greater quantity of meat than is canned in normal seasons.

CA NNING SUGGESTED

There can bo no doubt that an increase of canning would help to relieve possible future difficulties in the matter of storage, and the position from tliis standpoint is being carefully watched. The manner in which a number of freezing companies have made arrangements for increasing their coed storage, is a matter for great satisfaction, and the Government is talcing steps to provide some financial assistance in this direction when desired. It seems evident that there is sufficient cold storage accommodation for butler, and as regards cheese the accommodation in existence! or arranged'for will meet requirements in the Smith Island. In the North Island it will he prudent to increase the storage accommodation to some extent, particularly in the Wellington province. The Board of Agriculture and the National Efficiency Board have carefully examined the figures in returns which have been furnished to them, relative to (lie output of meat, butter, and cheese, the quantity of produce in store at the present time, the cold storage capacity in the Dominion, and the proposed additions thereto. The information furnished shows that sufficient storage for cheese has been, or is being, provided in the Smith Island, hut that in the North Island it would he prudent to provide some additional storage beyond that already arranged for. The evidence in respect to butter is more satisfactory, as the additional freezing accommodation now being provided will afford reasonable sa fel v.

Those interested in the productidn of dairy produce should, like the meat growers, eontrilmte ‘towards Hie enpital recpiirod for sueh increase in storage.

A conference, composed of (he Council of Agneiil ure, efficiency Board, and Department of Agriculture, expresses the following opinions for the information of (hose concerned: — 1. —That the Minister should take such steps as may be necessary in the event of a congestion of storage becoming sufficiently acute, to provide for the canning of second quality meat. 2. That, in order to conserve storage space, it is desirable that companies should be encouraged to can a larger proportion of suitable, meat than usual, and with a view to aiding in this matter a further endeavour should be made to induce the Imperial Government to purchase the (‘armed product. 3. . That companies should be urged to provide for an increase in .(he present ('aiming plant, and the Government should give every possible assistance to enable (hem to obtain such additional plant. 4. That, Co provide for such a contingency, freezing companies which have a supply of tinplate for canning purposes should, by regulation, be prohibited from disposing of it for any other purpose without the consent of the Minister. 5. That farmers should be warned that then' may be a necessity to carry over a proportion of sheep and lambs, and that they, therefore, should make due provision for additional winter feed. 0. That the Government should meet in a generous spirit such freezing companies as are prepared to increase their storage space, but require financial assistance from the Government to enable them to do so. 7. That, with regard to butter; sufficient cold storage space is likely to be available if the number of ships that are expected do arrive. 8. That with regard to cheese, additional, cool storage for approximately 50,000 crates should be provided, principally in the Taranaki and Wellington districts, distributed as may be advised by the Dairy Division of your Department. Companies shoud utilise the available storage space to the best possible advantage. Producers should make all necessary preparations to meet whatever position may arise in the carrying over of stock through tke coming winl^.