THE SHIPPING QUESTION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 55, 5 July 1915, Page 4

THE SHIPPING QUESTION.

One of the must diliicuJt tasks taken in hand by the present Government is that of securing adequate shipping accommodation lor the Irozen meat export. says l.’ne Christchurch Press. Strictly speaking. tliere wits no real

reason in the first instance why the

Government should have burdened themselves with tills responsibility. In the past shipping companies and the exporters have been left to make their own arrangements as host they could. The outbreak of the war, however, caused a shipping famine unprecedent- j eu in the world’s history, and it was I accentuated in New Zealand by the fact that two of our meat earners were sunk, that new vessels building ■ for the trade could not be completed and some insulated steamers, among

others,- had to he commandeered lor the conveyance of troops. In these circumstances, the Government did well to come to the assistance of the producers, and there is no doubt, in spite of grumbling on the part of the hitter, that, thanks to the Govern-

ment, the position is immensely less serious than it would have been. The fact that we have agreed to the commandeering of the meat supply for Imperial purposes, has given the .New Zealand Government a very strong lever- for the purpose of bringing pressure on the Board of Trade. Mr Massey put the claims of New Zealand in the most forcible language at Ids command, and the result has been very satisfactory. Three more steamers are now being sent, which it is estimated will clear out existing stocks, and so enable the freezing companies to start next season with empty stores. The large amount of additional storage accommodation which is be-ingam-ovided will also be available by that time, and farmers will bo able to look forward to the next season free from the anxieties which have pressed upon them during the last few months.