H,— 3o

By reason of the variation in the quantity of dairy-produce shipped from the different classes of ports, as compared with meat, the whole problem of shipping these two commodities really requires to be negotiated separately. The Dairy Board negotiated its first shipping contract in 1924, and contracts were renewed in 1927, 1930, and 1933. All the negotiations were carried out between the shipping companies and representatives of the Meat and Dairy Boards, and the reductions obtained were on the same percentage basis to both Boards. During this period the quantity of dairy-produce has increased by a much larger percentage than meat. It is reasonable to suggest that the value of dairy-produce as a freight for the shipowners has been greatly enhanced, and should thus be entitled to a greater reduction in freight rates. The -following figures indicate the dairy-produce and meat exported from New Zealand for the 1923-24 season, and the 1933-34 season :—

Combined Totals, Butter and Cheese.

155

Butter (Tons). Cheese (Tons). Season Season T Season Season T 1933-34. : 1923-24. Increase. 1933-34. 1923-24. Increase. ] I . I .... Auckland .. .. 93,020 29,020 64,000 21,180 9,550 11,630 Wellington .. .. 18,420 8,930 9,490 41,380 32,630 8,750 New Plymouth . .. 10,250 4,900 5,350 19,350 14,000 5,350 Wanganui .. .. 3,900 3,770 130 2,900 1,260 1,640 Napier .. .. .. 3,730 .. 3,730 100 .. 100 Gisborne .. .. 2,800 880 1,920 70 .. 70 North Island ..132,120 47,500 84,620 84,980 57,440 27,540 Lyttelton .. .. 2,590 2,080 510 1,210 1,610 Dec. 400 Tima.rn .. .. .. 390 500 Dec. 110 810 750 60 Dunedin .. .. 1,220 1,340 Dec. 120 2,380 1,890 490 Blufi .. .. .. 1 630 920 Dec. 290 13,770 9,940 3,830 South Island .. 4,830 4,840 Dec. 10 18,170 14,190 3,980 ! Dominion totals .. | 136,950 52,340 84,610 103,150 71,630 31,520 Note. —Napier was not a grading port until 1925.

i Season 1933-34. ! Season 1923-24. Increase. Tons. Tons. Tons. Auckland 114,200 38,570 75,630 Wellington .. .. .. .. 59,800 41,560 18,240 New Plymouth .. .. .. .. 29,600 18,900 10,700 Wanganui .. .. .. ■■ 6,800 5,030 1,770 Napier .. .. .. .. 3,830 .. 3,830 Gisborne .. .. .. •• 2,870 880 1,990 North Island .. .. .. 217,100 104,940 112,160 Lyttelton .. .. • • 3,800 3,690 110 Timaru .. .. . . • • 1,200 1,250 Decrease 50 Dunedin .. .. •• 3,600 3,230 370 Bluff .. .. .. •• •• 14,400 10,860 3,540 South Island .. .. .. 23,000 19,030 3,970 Increase, 93 per cent.