n.—3B a

Session 11. J 918. NE VV ZEAL A N D.

BUTTER. TELEGRAMS EXCHANGED WITH LONDON IN CONNECTION WITH THE DISPOSAL OF THE BUTTER-OUTPUT DURING 1917-18 SEASON.

Laid, on the Table of the House of Eepresentatives by leave.

Telegram from the Right Hon. the Prime Minister to the High Commission*eh for New Zealand, dated 27th June, 1917. Butter : There is great congestion here amounting to over a quarter of a million boxes which is seriously affecting interests of producers. Practically none shipped lasl few months owing to shortness of shipping and direction from London re not including butter as priority cargo in ships available. Next season's production commences in North Island early .August, where greatest congestion exists, and consequently urge that for next few months at least that portion of insulated space on overseas steamers loading New 'Zealand be set aside for butter, say, equal to fifty thousand boxes per month. Urge early decision. Telegram from the Right Hon. the Prime Minister to the High Commissioner for New Zealand, dated 4th July, 1917. Butter : Most important that I should receive reply to my telegram of 27th June. Five steamers are loading in New Zealand this month, and I am most anxious that the congestion which now exists should be relieved, and shall consequently be glad to receive your authority to ship fifty thousand boxes or more. Would be greatly obliged for immediate reply. Telegram from the High .Commissioner foh New Zealand to the Right Hon. the Prime Minister, dated 11th July, 1917. With reference to your telegrams of the 27th June and 4th July on subject of shipment of butter, I am informed by the Board of Trade that arrangements are being made to ship sixty thousand boxes in July and August, and that question of later shipments will be considered at an early date. —Mackenzie. Telegram from the Right Hon. the Prime Minister to the High Commissioner for New Zealand, dated 23rd July, 1917. Butter: Please see telegram No. 8, Australasian Tonnage Committee to New Zealand Overseas Shipowners' Committee, advising steamers loading September New Zealand ports. Expect at end August one fifty thousand boxes last season's production will be then in store, which will require to be cleared to make room for new season's production. Urge Board of Trade to provide space in these steamers for this quantity. It is of utmost consequence this quantity should be shipped so that production next season may be continued to fullest extent. Any delay in shipment of balance of last year's production now in store likely to have disastrous results affecting production coming season. Reply by telegraph. Telegram from the Governor-General op New Zealand to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, dated 23rd July, 1917. Prime Minister would be glad to know whether Board of Trade would consider favourably question of taking over the export of New Zealand butter along with the export of cheese. Prime Minister thinks that an arrangement could be made which would be mutually beneficial to the consumer in England and the producer in New Zealand. —Liverpool.