THE NEXT SEASON'S STEAMERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 November 1915, Page 8

THE NEXT SEASON'S STEAMERS.

OUTLOOK SATISFACTORY. LETTER FROM THE PRIME MINISTER. At the meeting of the Executive Committee of the Associated New Zealand' Chambers of Commerce, held at Wellington on Tuesday, the following letter from the Prime Minister on the subject of insulated steamers for the coming season was read: — "With further reference to your letter of the 29th ult., I have now to advise that a letter lias been received from the chairman of the New Zealand Overseas Shipowners' Committee on the subject matter of jour letter which reads as follows: " 'The allocation of insulated steamers to the New Zealand trade rests with the London Tonnage Committee and the Imperial Board of Trade. This committee considers it is too early to expect aiiy forecast from London regarding the number of steamers which will be set aside for the carriage of frozen cargoes from New Zealand from January till the end of the season, but as the London Committee is in possession of very full estimates of anticipated shipments up to September next, my committee has no cause to doubt that reasonably adequate provision will be made for New Zealand's needs in this respect. With regard to general cargo, several of the lines have under consideration the supplementing of existing tonnage by means of chartered steamers, should necessity demand it, and this committee believes it will be found that the lines are in a position to cope with the quantity of general cargo available for export.' "With reference to securing the services of interned enemy ships for theNew Zealand trade, I would mention that as far back as July last the Government made full inquiries both in London and Australia with this object, but replies were received in each instance that there were none of these vessels available for New Zealand."