NOTES FROM THE CAPITAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 January 1916, Page 7

NOTES FROM THE CAPITAL.

THE SHORTAGE OF SHIPPING SPACE. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Wellington, Jan. 18. The commandeering of the steamer Ulimaroa by the Defence Department has caused some consternation in shipping eirc-les, where shortage of shipping apace is already being felt severely. Shipping men were asking to-day if any further inroads upon the available fleet of steamers were to be made by the Government. Probably they may reassure themselves upon this point. The Defence Department will not take steamers lightly, and present indications are that the addition of the Ulimaroa to its fleet of transports will meet the requirements, of the future. The transports already in commission and running between New Zealand and Egypt according to a regular time-table, provided adequate accommodation as long as no horses were being sent from New Zealand. But with the removal of the New Zealand forces from fiallipoli there has come a eliance of the mounted rifles being given tljeir proper work and the demand for horses has revived. The 'Defence? authorities have been buying largely lately,-in order to mount New Zealanders an 4 "il an order for horses received from theVimperial authorities, and the animals lmve to be got to the front. 'Provisions for the conveyance of horses on a transport means that fewer melt can be carried, and so the Department require* extra transport accommodation. It is hoped that the addition.of one steamer to the transport fleet will meet the ease.