SHORTAGE OF SHIPS

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 219, 21 December 1916, Page 6

SHORTAGE OF SHIPS

FOE CHEESE EXPORTERS. STOCKS PILING UP. The present shortage of ships on the JDoaiijuon loading berihs has caused considerable anxiety among cheese manufacturers and exporters. When the Imperial Government ’s offer in connection with cheese purchase -tvas made, th e question of shipping space aaose, but the merchants rejected the offer, thinking that better prices were available. It is said that many of them would now have the Government take over the cheese output at the rate previously rejected. The question of shipping space has not resulted in -the solution forecasted by English agents, and the existing shortage is likely to continue for some time. It is said that those concerned will apply to the Government for relief. It is thought that the requisitioning of outputs by the Imperial Government will xnoduce lower prices than would offer elsewhere, and in, addition to this there is the Government levy of 3d, so that the cheese exporters anticipate financial embarrassment. By telegram from Taranaki comes th e news of uneasiness in dairying circles. At the various freezing works large stores of cheese are on hand, and the position is described as acute. It is thought that the works will soon become congested, though the companies are obtaining buildings suitable to the temporary ■storing of cheese. Sale and consignment contracts already started will probably be complicated by this position, and there is general concern among those interested in the industry. v, "v. n SERIOUS CONGESTION. SW*-' ■ Mr H. E. Pacoy, managing director of the New Zealand Dairy Association, in a statement to the Picss, attributes the congestion to the decreased number of refrigerated steamers in the trade, and the assumption of cheese making by so many button factories (with consequent increased bulk of output), but mainly to the decision of the Imperial authorities to give meat preference over dairy produce in allotting space. This decision, he considers, has brought the congestion forward several months.

The outlook Mr Paecy considers to be a very serious one, though he does not agree that it is alarming. The surplus remaining at Auckland after the loading arrangements at present in sight are carried out is estimated at 75,000 boxes of butter and 15,000 crates of cheese. Meanwhile, the season is at its height, and the total is being rapid-

ly increased. The assistance of Mr Massey in securing bctton arrangements has been invoked, in addition to urgent representations made to the Oversea f?hipping Committee. Mr Massey s latest message from London, according to Mr Pacey, indicates that the outlook is improving, and that everything possible under the circumstances is being done. Mr Pacey thinks it probable that cheese companies in Auckland may consider the reduction of their monthly advances to suppliers, as Southern companies alneady have done, but he does not consider it likely that Government assistance will be sought. CONGESTION IN TARANAKI. OYER £300,000 WORTH IN STORE. NEW PLYMOUTH, Doc. IS Dairy producers in Taranaki are feeling somewhat anxious in consequence of the shortage of boats to take away their produce, and the serious congestion that is taking place in consequence. The flush of the season lias been reached, and the only boat apparently in sight is the one timed to leave in January. At the Patea Freezing Works there is in store 28,000 crates of cheese valued at £1(58,000, whilst at Moturoa there are 21,000 crates of cheese of an estimated value of £126,000, and 20,000 boxes of butter worth £72,000 at least, the total value of produce in stores at New Plymouth being thus £200,000, or a grand total of £368,,000 between the two stores. The directors of the Moturoa Freezing Works are doing their best to cope with the difficulty, and are circularising factories to ascertain what suitable storage facilities they have, but it is not anticipated that very much material help will be available from that source. The financial aspect is consequently worrying, and it is understood that most of the factory managers have decided to keep advances down as low as possible to ensure regular payments being kept up. •One shilling per pound will probably he paid out by the majority of Taranaki factories for November butter-fat supplies.