SHIPPING SPACE.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 April 1916, Page 6

SHIPPING SPACE.

A SERIOUS SHORTAGE. STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER. (From Our Own Correspondent). Wellington, April 7. A general statement ' regarding the shipping sliortage was made by the Prime Minister to-day in reply to' a deputation representing the flaxmillers. who are faced with the necessity of closing down their mills owing to the accumulations of hemp in store and the continued lack of tonnage for its conveyance to the markets.

"We are face to face with a serious difficulty in connection with shipping space," said the Prime Minister. "The trouble has been accentuated by the loss. temporary or permanent, of the' Matntua and the Rangitira. I think that the position is going to improve in a month or two. but I cannot be certain about that in these times of war. Eleven steamers are expected' to come here in June for loading and the situation will then be relieved materially, but in the meantime we are going to have trouble. lam in almost daily Communication with the Imperial authorities and liave represented the needs of the Dominion to them very .fully. I can say this, that New Zealand has no reason to complain about the way the available shipping space has been allotted. The Dominion has been treated very well indeed. Several of our traders have been released at my request, after they had been commandeered for war service. Recently one big ship, which had been commandeered, was sent here as an Imperial Ship to load meat. The Imperial authorities are doing what they can in the face of exceptional conditions." Mr. Massey mentioned that he was in communication with the Imperial authorities concerning the accumulations of meat in New Zealand. It was estimated that the beef and mutton in store waiting for shipment would represent 2,400,000 COlb carcases on-April 30. This huge quantity of meat was required in the 'United Kingdom,'and it. had to be moved at the earliest possible moment. The difficulty over shipping was not confined to Xew Zealand. The trouble was being felt in Britain and in Australia. The Tonnage Committee had informed him that the wool at present stored in New Zealand would be got 'away within a reasonable time. This wool was being urgently asked for by the Imperial authorities, and there were demands for it from other portions of the Empire. Referring to the general shortage of shipping, Mr. Massey said that he" knew of a case where a steamer costing originally £70,000 had been sold for £150,000 cas.h. There was a tremendous demand for shipping space all over the Empire—and. indeed, all over the world —owing to the withdrawal of hundred; of ships that normally were engaged in carriage of goods. One of the difficulties in regard to flax was that it occupied more space in proportion to its weiglit than any other article of export, and the shipping companies consequently were not anxious to take it when they could fill their vessels with produce of a more profitable character. The trouble, continued the iPrim- Minister, was not confined to flax, wool and meat. The Government required a certain number of ships at the present time to carry coal. Xew Zealand had to supply a certain quantity of coal to the Ad. miralty, and there had been very great difficulty in securing coal ships. Then oil was needed in the Dominion. The Minister for Railways had informed him only that morning that unless a shipment of oil was brought from Eastern ports the Railway Department was going tc be seriously embarrassed. If the oil was to be secured a ship must be found to carry it. Stocks of cheese and butter were accumulating in the stores, and he saw no prospect of getting them away during the next two months. . "I appreciate your difficulty." added the Prime Minister. "I have always realised the importance of maintaining our export trade. Xew Zealand lives upon her exportu, and flax has contributed in no small degree to the prosperity we have enjoyed. I shall ask the, Board of trade if tbey can spare us a cargo ship to carry (lax. tallow and other products that are accumulating. . I don't know whether we shall be able to get a ship. lam doubtful about it. The position is simply that the Imperial Government has commandeered about 30 per cent, of British shipping for its own purposes, and it is impossible at the present time to get ships built." Mr. Field: "Does the Imperial Government clearly understand the difficulty we are in?" ,Mr. Massey: "They understand it thoroughly, and Xew Zealand has no reason to complain about the treatment she has received in the allocation of the available ships. Thej have done their .very best for us." Several other points were discilssed, and the Prime Minister promised to ascertain whether it would be possible to afferd the flax industry any relief. RELTKF (PROMISED. Wellington, Later. Mr. XJasscy 'stated to-night that he was satisfied that all meat in store would lie got away before the new seasen's killing starts. There will be congestion in May, but in June a number of steamers would lift cargoes and relieve the situation. The same remark applied to cheese and butter, and the Tonnage Committee had- assured him that wool will be got.away in reasonable time, leaving only flax' to be dealt with. In this direction Mr. Massev hoped to be able to afford relief to exporters.