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It appears to me that a very important point in connection with this unfair treatment which New Zealand is receiving in this matter is the fact that the Imperial Government has requisitioned the whole of the New Zealand output of frozen, meat until the end of the war, and by this decision the New Zealand producers have loyally abided. If adequate facilities are not provided by the Imperial Government for bringing the meat away the citizens of (he Dominion will naturally consider that what is tantamount to a breach of faith is being committed. •The telegram from the New Zealand Government which I mentioned in the course of our conversation yesterday as having just been received did not refer specifically to the shipping question, although it dealt with another phase of the meat position. I am, i.e., W. F. Massky. The Right Hon. Walter H. Long, Secretary of State for the Colonies, Downing Street, S.W. 1, Sir Joseph Mackay, Controller of Shipping, London, to the Right Hon. W. F. Massey, Prime Minister of New Zealand. Ministry of Shipping, St. James's Park, London S.W., Dear Mr. Massey,— April, 1917. I have your letter of the nth instant. However formidable the results of these diversions to the people of New Zealand, I cannot conceive of them holding the Government guilty of ingratitude because it has been compelled to take the only steps which would adequately secure the Army's meat-supply. I really cannot add more than my sincere regret for the necessity. Yours sincerely, J. P. Maolay. The Right Hon. W. F. Massey, Prime Minister's Office, Savoy Hotel, London. The Bight Hon. W. F. Massey, Prime Minister of New Zealand, to Sir Joseph Mackay, Controller of Shipping, London. Dear Sir Joseph, Savoy Hotel, London, .7th April, 1917. With reference to your letter in reply to mine of the sth instant, and to our previous correspondence in connection with the diversion of New Zealand insulated steamers to the Argentine meat trade, J desire to enclose copies of two telegrams which I have received within the last few days from the Acting Prime Minister, Wellington, and the General Manager of the New Zealand Dairy Association respectively. These telegrams will bear out what 1 have already indicated to you as to the acute position which is arising in New Zealand. I am in communication with the Hoard of Trade with regard to the financial difficulty which has arisen. You will, however, observe that the Acting Prime Minister states there are now over two million carcases of meat in store, and this large quantity is likely to be still further increased in the near future. As you are aware, the Imperial Government has requisitioned the whole of the output of frozen meat until the end of the war, and the people of New Zealand have loyally abided by their side of the bargain. I desire again to stress the importance of the position, and to express the earnest, hope that it may yet be possible to take such action as will, at any rate, lessen the serious dislocation which is being caused to New Zealand's frozen-meat industry. Yours sincerely, Sir Joseph Maolay, Controller of Shipping. W. F. Massey. Sir Joseph Mackay, Controller of Shipping, to the Right Hon. W. F. Massey, Prime Minister of New Zealand. Dear Mr. Massey,— Ministry of Shipping, St. James's Park, S.W., [Bth April, 1917. lam favoured with your letter of the 17th instant. I regret extremely that we cannot do all you desire, and which we would wish, for New Zealand, but within the'next clay or two we shall have matters again gone into carefully to see if the position cannot in any way be improved. 1 think you will appreciate the difficulties under which we labour here at present, and the increase in losses gives us the utmost anxiety in our efforts to satisfy as far as possible the needs of all. No effort is being spared here in that direction. Yours sincerely, _ , . J. P. Mackay. I he Bight Hon. W. F. Massey, Prime Minister's Office, Savoy Hotel, London. The Right Hon. W. F. Massey, Prime Minister of New Zealand, to the Right Bon. W. 11. LONG, Secretary of State for the Colonies Dear Mr. Lono,- Savoy Hotel, London, l!)th April, 1917. I desire to thank you for your kind assistance in regard to shipping and other matters in which New Zealand is particularly concerned. I shall be glad if you will be so good as to communicate with the Controller of Shipping and point out to him that the New Zealand Government, on behalf of the producers in the

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