IMPERIAL SUPPLIES.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 December 1915, Page 2

IMPERIAL SUPPLIES.

EXPORTS FROM DOMINION. MEAT WORTH £0,200,000. Some information waa given the other day by the Prime Minister regarding the despatch of supplies from New Zealand to the Imperial Government. The scheme by which all exports of beef and mutton are purchased by the New Zealand Government has now been in operation for 10 months, and the total value of the meat shipped to December 23 is £8,200,000. It comprises 392,908 quarters of beef, 2,169,152 carcases of mutton, and 3.058,021 carcases of lamb. Forty-seven steamers laden with New Zealand meat have already arrived in Great Britain, and 15 stealers are now en route.

Discussing the prospects of the present season, Mr. Massey said that an enquiry had been made among all the freezing companies, and he anticipated that there would again be a very heavy export, though the shipments would not reach so large a volume as last season. The difficulty that \va9 then experienced in securing shipping space was not likely to recur. When the season opened, continued Mr. Massey, the cool stores were practically empty, and additional storage for at least 1,000,000 carcases had been provided since last season. There are at present seven steamers loading in New Zealand ports, including two which complete loading next month. During January there arc due to load six steamers with a capacity for 358,300 carcases, and six others with a capacity for 551.000 carcases are due to load in February. The scheme for the supply of cheese for Imperial use has no wbeen inaugurated. On December 23 there were shipments amounting to 1567 tons, valued at £107,108. on route to Great Britain. Mr. Massey remarked that only one objection had been made to the scheme by the dairy companies. The available supply of acheelite in the Dominion was commandeered in September for Imperial use. The quantity shipped is 55 tons, worth £10,500.