SHIPS FOR PRODUCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 211, 13 February 1915, Page 8

SHIPS FOR PRODUCE.

POSITIOX MORH SEWOL'S. I Auckland, February 11. Commenting n» tin; announcement that the Islington and Belfast freezing works were to be closed down shortly, tile Prime Minister stated tins evening' that he did not think the position was so serious as the companies' circulars indicated. The arrangcmi nts made by the Government, in (o-opcration with the shipping co-.upanios. were sullicient to absorb the output of refrigerated produce nnt'l the end „t (he month. Tim ]io:-ition after that was not so satisfactory. "The arrangement of shipping facilities In'.--, nut been free from dilliculticST .'Mr. Massey remarked. "Keccntly the Government conducted negotiations to secure a very large meat-

carrying steamer to-assist in the trans-1 port of the Dominion's produce. [n order to avoid delay, it was intended; that this vessel should proceed to Now! Zealand in ballast. The company own- ' ing the steamer asked for a payment of ] £IO,OOO, this sum representing the value of freight on a full cargo from Eng-1 land. With a view to securing tills large addition to shipping space, the Government communicated with various shipping companies, advising them that the Government would pay £500(1 if they would contribute the balance. "The companies declined to enter into the arrangement, although it represented an additional cost of less than one shilling a carcase. Consequently the extra space was not obtained."