SHIPS FOR EXPORT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 217, 20 February 1915, Page 5

SHIPS FOR EXPORT.

i IMPERIAL GOVERNMENT REQUIRE 3 1 OUR HEAT. I ; PRODUCING AXD FREEZING \ INTERESTS CO-OPERATE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. (Wellington, Last Night. The following official report was issued to-night of tl)e proceedings at the conference—consisting of representatives of shipping and frozen meat companies and of the Board of Agriculture, convened by the Prime Minister for the purpose of discussing the question of insulated tonnage and other matters—which met at Parliamentary Buildings this morning, the Prime Minister presiding. The conference also discussed the communication from the Imperial authorities, asking the New Zealand Government to take control of the whole of the frozen meat output of the Dominion on its behalf which might bo available for export. The Prime Minister, in opening the conference, briefly outlined the steps taken by th e Government to ensure a regular service in connection with the export of our frozen 'meat and dairyproduce. The conference exhaustively discussed th e question, and the following resolutions were carried:—"That, in view of the scarcity of insulated shipping, this meeting asks for an assurance from the shipping companies trading to Ne,w Zealand to load steamers direct from, Great Britain to New Zealand, and that they will do all in their power to bring out all tonnage possible, and as soon as possible to load meat and dairy produce from New Zealand ports; further, that the shipping companies confer with the Governnun;!: and the freezing companies in regard to the manner and mode of .doing this without prejudice to existing contracts." The Prime Minister then brought up the question of the request received by cable from the Secretary of State for the Colonies that the whole of tin Do- ' minion's supply of refrigerated meat available for exnort during the war be secured for the Imperial Government for the use of the Allied armies, and in order to prevent any excessive advance in price in tile United Kingdom of existing supplies which may not be required for the armies of the Allies, in the field. The Prime Minister informed the conference that the Government had decided to comply with the request of the Imperial authorities. After full consideration the following resolution was adopted:—"That this "conference wishes to inform the Imperial Government, through the Prime Minister, that they are prepared to co-operate with the Dominion Government in evcrv way with regard to the proposal that th 6 whole of the meat available for export should b e placed at tne disposal of the Imperial Government; further, that the conference set up a committee to assist the Government in arranging details necessary for the successful working of the scheme." It was also resolved that a committee, consisting of representatives of all freezing companies and of the Board of Agriculture' be formed, in order to confer with the Government on the matter, the Prime Minister undertaking-to formulate a scheme for submission to the committee at an early date. The conference carried a resolution, thanking Mr. Massey for what he hat", done regarding the question of freight.