H.—3B

6

Shipments during— 1915-16. 1916-17. 1917-18. 1918-19. April .. .. 498,971 540,204 340,374 490,339 May .. .. 389,223 500,097 338,507 365,688 June .. .. 302,293 605,890 239,793 94,855 July .. .. 761,641 740,845 229,402 75,290 August.. .. 602,647 555,630 453,178 98,327 September .. 795,766 609,362 96,059 264,780 October .. 474,055 465,983 321,127 394,722 November .. 282,450 321,497 743,065 133,486 December .. 241,734 235,316 394,941 369,577 January .. 514,036 440,168 904,810 217,749 February .. 498,964 272,910 369,043 317,679 March .. .. 542,586 800,539 335,303 549,936 5,904,366 6,088,44! 4,765,602 3,372,428 It will be noticed that the maximum quantity of meat in store to the 31st March, 1918, was 3,483,324 60 lb. carcases on the 30th June, 1917, and that this quantity has been very considerably exceeded by the maximum quantity in store on the 31st March, 1919, which was 6,567,871 60 lb. freight carcases. The shortage of shipping-facilities has again necessitated an extension of the freezing-accommodation throughout the Dominion. When the Department originally commenced the storage capacities of the various works amounted to 2,200,000 freight carcases. In my previous report I referred to the increase to 4,400,000 freight carcases, and a further increase to 6,336,399. This latter figure has now been increased, and the total refrigerated accommodation amounts to 7,405,272 60 lb. carcases, including 4,896,561 in the North Island and 2,508,711 in the South Island. These figures represent the capacity for uncut carcases, and the arrangement whereby freshly killed carcases of mutton and lamb intended for export are specially cut and packed considerably increases the capacity of the various works. Freezing companies are paid an extra per pound for all meat so specially treated, and it is estimated that the saving in space as a result-of the adoption of this process averages from 25 per cent, to 30 per cent. CHEESE. The requisition of cheese on behalf of the Imperial Government has been continued, and the following is a brief summary of the conditions of the contracts which have governed this purchase since the inception of the requisition : — During the 1915-16 season one-third of the first-grade factory cheese produced in New Zealand was purchased by the Imperial Government on the basis of 7jd. per pound f.o.b. During the 1916-17 season the whole of the output of first- and second-grade factory cheese was purchased at the rates of 9|d. and 9|d. per pound f.o.b. respectively. During the 1917-18 season the prices were fixed at lOd. and 9fd. per pound for first- and second-grade factory cheese respectively, and, in addition, dairy cheese was purchased at 8-|-d. and Bd. per pound for first and second grades. Arrangements were also completed to enable the shipment of third-grade factory cheese on the condition that it would be valued on arrival in the United Kingdom, and purchased at a price not exceeding 9|d. per pound. This condition was accepted, and the subsequent valuation of the cheese in London enabled the Imperial Government to authorize the payment of 9|d. per pound, instead of the maximum of previously fixed in the negotiations. During the present (1918-19) season the whole output has again been purchased, and the prices fixed at Iofd., 10|d., and lOd. for first-, second-, and third-grade factory cheese respectively. Dairy cheese also has been purchased at 9|d. and Bfd. respectively for firstand second-grade quality.