H —30

SHIPMENTS TO TAHITI Since January, 1942, the Department has been purchasing and shipping to Tahiti on behalf of the Tahiti Administration sundry goods, mainly canned meats, processed milk," butter, and cheese. The total value c.i.f. Papeete of such goods purchased and shipped up to 31st July, 1943, was £107,091 (New Zealand currency). SUNDRY SUPPLIES FOR WAR OFFICE During the year increased supplies of food products, including mainly service biscuits, oatmeal, and processed cheese, have been shipped under contract to the War Office. The value of the products shipped during the twelve months ended 31st July, 1943, is £2,104,578 (New Zealand currency). The accounts covering the purchase and sale transactions of the Department in connection with these United Kingdom War Office supplies are shown in the accounts section at the end of this report, page 33. The surplus for the year ended 31st July, 1943, is £4,940. SHIPPING The aim of the Department, in conjunction with other interests associated in the handling of produce and the loading of ships, has continued to be the reduction to the minimum of the number of ports of loading, in order to give the quickest " turn-round " for overseas vessels. In this regard it is appropriate to mention particularly the work of a Traffic Committee, formed in 1941 to assist the inland transit of cargo to facilitate the concentration of loadings at main ports. This Committee is an excellent example of co-operation between the Now Zealand Railways, the Wellington Harbour Board, the overseas shipping lines, and the Marketing Department to overcome the difficulties attendant on this policy of quick despatch of overseas ships. This Department is represented on the Committee by its Shipping Officer. A further important factor in the success of the arrangements referred to above has been the co-operation and assistance on all occasions of the representative in New Zealand of the British Ministry of War Transport. It is fitting that reference should be made to the death of Mr. F. W. Grainger, the Department's Chief Inspector of Shipping and Cold Storage. During his many years of service with the dairy industry, Mr. Grainger established the present system of supervision and inspection of the methods of handling, transport, and storage of dairy products, which lias contributed very substantially to the maintenance of the high quality of our export products. Upon the outbreak of war, Mr. Grainger, who was about to retire, continued in office at the request of the Government, and assumed additional responsibilities associated with New Zealand's war effort. I desire to record the Government's appreciation of Mr. Grainger's outstanding service.

SUMMARY OF VOLUME AND VALUE OF SALES BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PRODUCTS FOR EXPORT FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED 31st JULY, 1943.

Note.—The volume and value of butter, cheese, frozen and canned meats includes produce paid for but not shipped at 31st July, .1943.

5-11, 30

27

Product. Volume. Equivaleut Net Value f.o.b Weight (m Tons). (N.Z. Currency). £ Butter .. .. .. .. 4,094,032 boxes 102,351 14,894,247 Butterfat .. .. .. 85,614 cases 2,943 553,364 Cheese .. .. .. 1,302,233 orates 93,017 8,793,999 Frozen meat .. .. .. 299,977 17,334,540 Canned meat .. .. .. 21,442 2,298,875 Wool* .. .. .. .. 892,694 bales 137,608 20,568,860 Wpolly sheep-skins .. .. 996,235 skins 3,501 369,282 Tallow .. .. .. .. .. 44,505 1,342,897 Skim-milk powder .. .. 99,415 cases 4,971 222,980 Evaporated milk .. .. .. 60,821 ca.ses 1,303 74,133 Linen-flax fibre .,. .. .. .. 2,387 389,069 Scheelite .. .. .. ... 86 43,559 War Office contracts .. .. .. .. 2,104,578 Hides .. .. .. .. 109,137 number .. 184,943 Drugs .. .. .. .. .. 18 8,272 Totals .. ,. .. .. 714,109 69,183,598 . I * Totals of wool appraised for twelve months to 30th June, 1943, at f.o.b. value.