SHIPPING AND PRODUCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 April 1917, Page 5

SHIPPING AND PRODUCE.

WHAT WE MAY EXPECT. (From Our Own Correspondent). Wellington, April 3. Information that has reached local shipping circles indicates that New Zealand must expect increased difficulty in the shipment of produce as the war progresses. The shipping companies, in cooperation with the Government, have done their beat to meet the needs of the Dominion, and they are continuing to work to that end. 'But the shortage of shipping is an actua) fact, not merely a passing phase, and advices from London suggest, that there is no Immediate prospect of relief being secured. -The disposal of the available shipping is controlled by the British Board of Trado. through an expert committee, and the sole guiding consideration at tlie present time is efficient service from the point of view of the United Kingdom.

"I believe that the members of the Government are doing all thoy can to bring ships to New Zealand," said a shipping man to-day, "and I know that the companies engaged in the New Zealand trade are making their best efforts. But the position, as Sir James Allen says, is very difficult. The Imperial authorities cannot be expected to show any sentiment In this matter. If they have to choose between sending a ship to New Zealand for a cargo of foodstuffs and sending the SBme ship twice to America in the saSe time for two cargoes of Bimilar' foodstuffs, then they must give the American market the preference, since the first consideration is to provide the United Kingdom with food. It is fortunate that the British Government has actual need of the goods that we wlßh to ship, so that we can count upon the shipping committees in London doing possible for us, even without any representations that Mr. Ma9sey and Sir Joseph Ward might be able to make."