SUPPLY OF SHIPS.

Taihape Daily Times, 16 October 1918, Page 6

SUPPLY OF SHIPS.

PRIME .MINISTER « STATEMENT. CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT. The outlook in regard to the supply of shipping wias referred to by ■ the Prime Minister in a statement at Auckland, on Saturday. "As Minister in charge of the Imperial Supplies Department,’ ’said Mr Massey, “I have done my best to secure a sufficient supply of ships in order to get our products away end keep the commerce of the country going, and I think not unsuccessfully; but I cannOt' possibly guarantee that the supply of ships for the present season will be equal to last year. All I can say is that taking the requirements of the war into consideration, the British Ministry of Shipping will do its best for us, and I believe that the position will improve steadily,, but not rapidly as compared with what it has been during the last few months. The Imperial authorities thoroughly understand the importance of sufficient ships for the New Zealand and Australian trade, and nothing but the most urgent necessity will keep them away from us. While I have conferred with the (Shipping Ministry, I must say that ifhere (are /Departments of (State in Britain with which I am not so well satisfied in the handling of our products, and it may be necessary for me to ask Parliament to appoint a special, committee to go into the whole question, so that the public may understand some of he difficulties with which we are being called upon to deal.” Mr Massey stated yesterday that since his arrival in Auckland ho had received a cablegram on the subject, and that as a result of this message he was able to. say that the shipping outlook continues to improve.