CONGESTED STORES

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10281, 16 May 1919, Page 3

CONGESTED STORES

MINISTER ISSUES A STATEMENT.

The Minister in Charge of Imperial Supplies made a statement yesterday roterring to the drought and the congestion in freezing works. He £>aid that the Government was well aware of tho serious position the farmers were placed in in Hawke's Bay and tthor districts in New Zealand owing to the dry weather that has been experienced. Everything possible was being done by tho Government to alloviate the difficulties of the position. In response to Mr A. M. Campbell's telegram, the following reply had been sent, >vhich, in justice to the Imperial Supplies Department, should have been, published as well as Mr Campbell's telegram to the department: "Received both your telegrams re deplorable position farmers in your district. Have done everything possible in the matter, and will continue to press for further allotment of 6(pace. I am cabling to the Right Hon. Mr Massey, pointing out tihe position, and am also in communication with the Imperial Supplies Department and Over.seas' Shipowners' Committee, to see if anything further can be done. As the result of representations made recently through me, your district obtained a concession of 17,000 freight carcases, with a promise of further allotment if it could possibly bo arranged. I am malting representations to tine oommittee re the possibility of tho Raranga reaching Napier a day or two earlier. Shall also pass on your representations ro beef to the committee, > which is all I can do, as I have no control whatever over allocation of space. Am leaving no stone unturned to assist Hawke's Bay district, in cne endeavour to alleviate the unfortunuate position it is now placed in. Unfotunately, practically every other portion of New Zealand is making urgent demands for further space." "With regard to the action of the Overseas' Shipping Committee in allocating spaco," tho Minister continued, *'l transmitted to them roprbsntatib jis that I received from a deputation from Hawke's Bay with regard to the necessity for a further allotment of space to Hawke's Bay to relieve iihe conditions experienced in that district owing to their freezing works being piratically full and not being able to deal with the fat stock that wire (.tfrfirg which no doubt, owing to shortage of feed in the district, would deteriorate every day. Im response, the committee immediately allotted space for 17,000 extra carcases, and further promised to do everything possible to a«si-t the Hawke's Bay farmers in the unfortunate position in which they were now placed."

RARANGA'S LOADIND DAT*) EXPEDITED.

Later Mr' Guthrie sent the following telegram to Mr Campbell, as president of the Farmers' Union. Hastings: "Further reference your recent telegrams regarding position prevailing your district owing to drought, have been advised by overseas ship-owners that Raranga's loading date at Napier being expedited far as possible, and she should commonce loading there next week. Question of affording further relief to district will be considered iby committee at allocation meeting Wednesday next, and I shall he pleased to communicate result to you without delay." ■