THE MEAT INDUSTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 July 1919, Page 5

THE MEAT INDUSTRY.

DIFFICULTIES OF SHIPPING. OUTLOOK MORE REASSURING. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Mr. Guthrie, Minister of Charge of Imperial Supplies, recently dispatched the following cable to the High Commissioner re shipping space: "There are now in the freezing stores throughout the Dominion approximately eight million freight carcases of meat and the greatest congestion exists. Some stock still remains available for killing, and if additional relief is not forthcoming this must be reduced to store condition. The tonnage made available up till the present time for Dominion requirements is not adequate. I should be glad if you will make representations to the Shipping Controller, and point out .the urgent necessity of reducing the amount _of meat in store before next season's killings commence; otherwise the position must be disastrous to New Zealand's interests."

The High Commissioner, on July 14, replied as follows: "I have made representations to the Ministry of Shipping and Board of Trade, urging a substantial increase of tonnage for New Zealand, and will continue to press matters. I am informed that New Zealand is rcpeiving every consideration, but that it has been found impossible to allocate more than 17,000 tons of refrigerated space during August. Not less than 30,000 tons will be available in September, but no estimate can be given yet for the later months. Tta above estimates may have to be modified if ships are delayed." Mr. Guthrie said to-day that if anything like the number of ships promised came to load here New Zealand would fare well enough, but it was necessary that the Government should continue, as in the past, to keep .the Imperial authorities informed of the position here, sntt of the necessity for more tonnage- If this were done, he hoped the position in New Zealand would improve. The delays till the present shipping _ had been caused by ,the strikes in Britain, the shortage of coal, and the influenza. If these troubles should not recur he had hope that we should get more shipping, and that the position in the meat industry might be eased.