11,—24

8

on that, country was demonstrated shortly afterwards. Since; that development either countries from which New Zealand is largely supplied have alser found it necessary to request official comment in regard ter orders placeel on them by New Zealand purchasers, and as a result to-day the' Department is in correspondence with the recognized authorities in the United Kingdom, Canada, United States erf America, India, anel Australia. Irr many cases the representations made have beem instrumental in establishing the desirability from a national point of view of releasing the' various goods required. The range- erf the business is well illustrated by the following table 1 , from which it will Ire observed that orders to the' value erf £4,553,049 have, been dealt with up to date.

2. As a result erf v chrse adherence to the directions in regard to supplies given in the early stage's of the' war by tic Imperial authorities, New Zealand to-day is by no means favourably situated for many important commodities required for its national industries, such as wire' ropes, pig iron, terneplate, canvas, anel a number of other lines. The attention of the authorities concerned in the United Kingdom has recently of necessity been forcibly directed to this situation and its cause. Suitable representations through the High Commissioner have also been made, and latest advices indicate this action will produce profitable results to the Dominion. SHIPPING-SPACE INWARDS TO NEW ZEALAND AMI) COASTWISE. 1. The shortage of tonnage, which constitutes an ever-present problem to all interested in exports, similarly perplexes those concerned in the conveyance of merchandise inwards ter New Zealand and coastwise along its shores. 2. (a.) A review of the regular steamer service's shows the following ;—

(b.) As regards intercolonial and coastal coa] and cargo vessels, the Union Steamship Company (Limited) advise rue that, lor the year August, 1913, to July, 1911. they operated thirty-erne steamers, with a, tonnage; capacity equivalent to 87,101 tons, us against tire year August, 1917, to July, 1918, twenty-four steamers, with a capacity of 50,250 tons. Included in the; twenty-four vessels operating during 1917-18 there' are three steamers purchased by the Union Company which are not, included in the thirty-one operating in pre-war days, although sue-h vesseds were employed on the' Ne-w Zealand coast anel in intercolonial trades. (c.) As a further bearing on the intercolonial tonnage position, investigation shows the following Newcistle-e-oal importations by vessels other than those belonging to the Union Company: August, 1913, to July, 1911 .. .. .. .. 141,523 tons of coal. August, 1917, to July, 1918 .. .. .. .. 50,541 tons of coal. It is considered advisable to set out this information, because it shows that a number of vessels which came ter Nerw Zealand in pre-war days have either been retained on the Australian const or have been diverted by their owners, probably in more remunerative directions. 3. Where trips are shown in the table in paragraph 2 above', the outward voyage' is treated as one trip anel the homeward voyage as one trip. This is mentioned in order to make it clear that where live trips are' shown it; may mean three outward and two inward voyages, or vice versa. I. (a.) As regards the Vancouver service, the withdrawal of tire " Mamma " for national service was met by an express service; run by the " Niagara " and " Mnkura," under which these vessels are

i Received, i Signed. Under Clerical | Under Action. | Consideration. Value. United Kingdom .. j United State's of America Canada .. Australia India 1 7,455 7.309 1,043 1,010 103 99 509 189 8 7 23 22 2 8 03 11 2 12 I £ 3,059,717 1,050,278 02,606 371,458 8,990 Totals .. I 9,118 8,974 55 89 1.553,049

Service. Vancouver mail Sirir Francisco mail Trans-Pacific cargo Intercolonial mail and passenger Calcutta August, 1913, to drily, 1914. August, 1917. ti .Ships. | Trips. Capacity. Ships. Trips. Tons. 28 83,200 2 25 4 20 62.500 2 19 17 120.050 .. 25 13 270 099.400 7 151 2 5 45,050 2 5 1,010.800 July, 191K. Capacity. Tons. 88,loo 32,500 87.420 352.200 31,500 Totals 589.720 i !