THE MEAT SUPPLY.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 319, 26 October 1915, Page 4

THE MEAT SUPPLY.

ADEQUATE SHIPPING. ADDITIONAL FREEZING CAPACITY BUTTER AND CHEESE PROSPECTS. A statement was made by the Prime Minister on Saturday indicating that no difficulty is now likely to arise in the arrangements for shipping meat from the Dominion for the Imperial Government. When the scheme for supplying the Imperial authorities was started in March there were 1,384,000 freight careases in store. The shortage of ships caused this number to be increased ta 2,198,000 by July. Since then there has been a gradual reduction, and on September 30th there were only 66,000 carcases in store. ' It is expected that, after the dispatch of steamers in berth the quantity awaiting shipment by November I3th will be 205,000 carcases. For this the Karamea, Rangatira. TCaikoura, and Star of Scotland will be available, and the new season will be started with empty stores.

The payments made for meat purchased since the Imperial ctovernment requisitioned the supplies have reached over £5,500.000, averaging £700,000 permonth; and during the first fortnightof the present month the amount actually paid out by the Imperial Government Meat Supply Branch totalled £770,028. Eleven new freezing works are contemplated or are now in course of construction, which, when completed, will provide storage- for about 000.000 freight carcases; and’ the additions to the present freezing- chambers will provide for another 000,000; so that in the future the frozen meat capable of being stored in the Dominion wilt reach the total’ 0f'4,000,000 freight '‘ureases. Mr. Massey merlon ed that box»» and crates cf butter and cheese are coming info flip stores- in thousands., j The wflook is vorv promising, ospeeii ally 'for butter, the ruling prices of ! which at home are higher than ever.