SHORTAGE OF STEPPING.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 September 1917, Page 4

SHORTAGE OF STEPPING.

Meetings are to be held next week at Urenui, Oka to, and Inglewood for the purpose of discussing the serious position existing in regard to the shortage of shipping for frozen meat and other produce, and to endeavor to devise means for tho erection of additional storage. Mr. J. <?: Cooper, managing director ot the Wellington Farmers' Moat Company, Masterton, will address each meeting, in a matter so vital to farmers it is scarcely necessary to emphasise the importance of their attending the meetings, at, which much useful information will, no doubt, be given by Mr. Cooper, who is closely in touch with what is going on." At no time has the shipping problem been so acute as it is to-day. Two of tho insulated 'steamers to have come this spring to New Zealand have been torpedoed, and it is no secret that several of the seventeen steamers (hat were to be here shortly will not materialise. The situation, unfortunately, is not likely to improve in the near future; it will probably grow worse beforo it is better, so that local fanners must take time by th(! forelock and prepare for the 'Worst. Additional storage for dairy produce and meat must be found. The Moturoa freezing works accommodation is being largely increased, and should meet demands; but in respect to meat storage, there is at the Taranaki Farmers' Meat Company's new works little to come and go upon. Further space must be obtained, or the interests of the farmers. as well as of the company, must suifei\ The best insurance is additional accommodation, and the ways and means of obtaining it will doubtless be fully considered by the meetings, the importance of which should ensure large attendances.