H.—3Ba

19

From Right Hon. the Prime Minister to High Commissioner for New Zealand. Bth June, 1916. Should be glad to receive an early reply to my telegram of 24th May re insulated tonnage. From High Commissioner for New Zealand to Right Hon. the Prime Minister. 9th June, 1916. With reference to your telegram 24th May on subject of insulated tonnage : This was not being overlooked, and representations have been made to Board of Trade and Tonnage Committee, but I did not telegraph further, being hopeful of obtaining information altering position as stated in my telegram of 23rd May. Tonnage Committee continued pressing Sydney Committee, and Hughes, Prime Minister of Australia, with a view to adding to steamers available for New Zealand loading June-July, and Colonial Office has been in communication with Governor-General of Australia, but regret to inform you that no additional steamers or transports can be diverted from Australia to New Zealand owing to urgent necessity for loading Queensland beef. Including those now loading, ten steamers will be available June, and nine July. Names of ships for July cabled Wellington Committee 16th May, and Tonnage Committee states that this number cannot be added to. Board of Trade are confident that notwithstanding unavoidable delay they will be able to clear cold stores in New Zealand before next season begins. From Right Hon. the Prime Minister to High Commissioner for New Zealand. 13th June, 1916. With reference to your telegram 9th June : Regret position cannot be improved for June and July, but please urge Board of Trade give special consideration to matter of insulated tonnage for months of August and September. From Right Hon. the Prime Minister to High Commissioner for New 'Zealand. 14th June, 1916. With reference to my telegram 24th May and 13th June: Desire to advise you confidentially that .there is a pronounced opinion existing in Dominion that the requirements of Australia in the matter of insulated tonnage are receiving a preference to the disadvantage of New 'Zealand. Will be obliged if you will look into matter and advise Government your views. If the meat in store in the Dominion is to be cleared before new season's operations commence more tonnage than that advised must be made available. From High Commissioner for New Zealand to Right H.m. the Prime Minister. 16th June, 1916. In reply to your telegram 14th June : Have seen personally" all correspondence and cables which have passed, and I am satisfied that Board of Trade and Tonnage Committee doing all possible for us, and that Australia does not receive undue advantage over New Zealand on the question of tonnage. They state that they made effort to relieve New Zealand, and there is no doubt, if the military exigencies had permitted, further transports would have been allotted to New Zealand May-June loading. Australia had wheat commitments for Allied countries which increased difficulties of allocation. Imperial requirements have been of such nature as to make it absolutely necessary send Australian vessels America for frozen meat, as such vessels could make three American voyages against one Australasian. All ships originally allotted to New Zealand June-July will be available; although some may be dela3'ed, none have been diverted from New Zealand trade. I know that Hughes also complaining bitterly.about what he considers to be injustice to Australia in the allocation tonnage. Tonnage Committee will supply shortly list of steamers available for August loading New Zealand, and I will telegraph as soon as possible. Board of Trade desire to be informed why " Afric " was allowed to leave New Zealand with a portion of insulated space not used for meat when plenty available. From Right Hon. the Prime Minister to High Commissioner for New Zealand. 21st June, 1916. With reference to your telegram 16th June; You may inform Board of Trade that reason the "Afric" was despatched from New Zealand with empty space equal to 15,000 cubic feet arose through a misunderstanding on the part of the steamer's agents in a desire not to delay the ship. I am informed that space was filled in Australia. Be information conveyed in your telegram, should be obliged if you would obtain permission of the Australasian Refrigerated Tonnage Committee, London, to see copy of letter dated 3rd May and other correspondence intimately connected therewith. From this you will gather that there is something due from Australia to New Zealand in connection with the arrangements made by the Board of Trade. Information has just become available which shows that, after the departure of the steamers now loading and advised as available for July, further insulated tonnage the equivalent of 2,200,000 60 lb. carcases will be necessary, to clear the freezing-stores by the end of September. Should like to have particulars of the August steamers at earliest possible moment. From High Commissioner for New Zealand to Right Hon. the Prime Minister. 22nd June, 1916. With reference to your telegram 21st June on subject of tonnage : Informed by Tonnage Committee that the following steamers have been allotted to New Zealand for August loading— "Rotorua," "Port Elliott," "Waiwera," " Corinthic," " Pakeha," "Durham"; and the