H.—3B

1919. NEW ZEAL A N D.

DEPARTMENT OF IMPERIAL GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES. REVIEW OF OPERATIONS COVERING THE PERIOD FROM THE 1st APRIL, 1918, TO THE 31st MARCH, 1919, INCLUDING AN APPENDIX SHOWING RESULTS TO 23rd AUGUST, 1919.

Laid on the Table of the House of Representatives by Leave.

Sir,— Wellington, 23rd August, 1919. In continuation of my last annual report, dated the '24th April, 1918, I have the honour to submit a review of the operations of the Department of Imperial Government Supplies during the period Ist April, 1918, to the 31st March, 1919. As previously intimated, the Department commenced its operations on the 3rd March, 1915, and was primarily constituted for the purpose of controlling the purchase of the output of frozen meat on behalf of the Imperial Government. The organization established for that purpose has since been extended, and now handles all produce requisitioned on behalf of the Imperial Government, including wool, sheep-skins, hides, butter, cheese, " Glaxo," frozen and canned rabbits, condensed milk, scheelite, and such other individual contracts as are from time to time made by the Imperial authorities with New Zealand producers. In addition to the work undertaken on behalf of the Imperial Government the Department has also at different times completed arrangements in connection with various matters on behalf of the New Zealand Government; and included under this latter heading may be mentioned the butter-fat levy imposed under the provisions of the Order in Council dated the 16th October, 1916, the purchase of butter and cheese for use in camps and on. transports, the internal arrangements in connection with the sale and shipment of kauri-gum, and the accounts in connection with the original purchase of wheat from the Australian Government. In addition, at the request of the Dominion Butter Committee the Department has supervised and controlled the arrangements in connection with the Equalization Funds established in connection with the butter-outputs dur ng 1917-18 and 1918-19 seasons. FROZEN MEAT. The requisition of frozen meat on behalf of the Imperial Government commenced on the 3rd March, 1915, and has since then comprised all beef, mutton, and lamb in store or produced at freezing-works available for shipment. The preliminary arrangements in connection with this requisition were made at conferences convened by the Prime Minister and attended by representatives of the industry, and the schedule of prices and general arrangements necessary in connection with the requisition were agreed upon and subscribed to by all parties interested. This original schedule was adhered to until the 20th October, 1916, when a revision of the rates was agreed to by the Imperial Board of Trade, and has since remained operative.

I—H. 38.