f1.—38

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This information at first consisted of supplying particulars regarding the quantity of meat held in store at the various freezing-works, estimates of prospective killings, &c, but as the operations of the Department were extended additional information necessary to the Committee's requirements has been obtained and furnished. At present particulars regarding greasy, slipe, and scoured wool, hides, &c, available for shipment are collected by the Department and supplied to the Committee. From allocating the insulated space for meat and dairy-produce in the first instance the New Zealand Shipowners' Committee now attends to the allocation of all general cargo space, local Committees being set up in the various shipping centres to deal with the general cargo shipments other than those handled by the Department of Imperial Government Supplies. LOSS OF SHIPS. During the first two years of the war the overseas shipping requirements of the Dominion may be considered to have been well met. Certain delays and inconveniences were experienced, but, taking all circumstances into consideration, producers were fortunate in seeing refrigerated stores practically clear of meat, butter, and cheese at the end of both seasons. This season, however, owing to the losses of tonnage by submarine and other casualties, coupled with the deflection by the Imperial Government of tonnage from the New Zealand trade to meet the urgent necessities of the Empire, the situation as regards shipping facilities has become much less favourable, and this is clearly indicated by the increased quantities of meat and dairy-produce remaining in store on the 31st May, 1917, as compared with the same date last year. 2) . , Frozen Meat, Cheese, Butter, 601b. Carcases. ('rates. Boxes. 31st May, 1916 ... 2,642,362 62,000 84,000 31st May, 1917 ... 3,290,000 126,000 242,000 The losses of insulated carrying-capacity, represented in terms of 601b. carcases of meat, are as follows :— Steamer. m ,kT 601b. Carcases. S.s." Kaipara" ... ... ... ... 96,500 S.s. "Otaki" ... ... ... ... 95,000 S.s." Rotorua" ... ... ... ... 99,000 S.s. " Tongariro" ... ... ... ... 83,500 *S.s." Matatua" ... ... ... ... 88,000 S.s." Rangatira" ... ... ... ... 97,800 S.s." Tokomaru" ... ... ... ... 82,000 S.s." Middlesex" ... ... ... ... 102,000 S.s." Port Nicholson" ... ... ... 113,000 S.s." Port Adelaide" ... ... ... 113,000 S.s. "Marere" ... ... ... ... 86,000 S.s." Clan MacTavish" ... ... ... 48,000 Total capacity in 60 lb. carcases ... 1,103,800 * Undergoing repairs. Of the vessels previously mentioned only the s.s. " Rotorua " and the " Clan MacTavish " carried produce consigned to the Imperial Government. The values of the cargo lost in each of these were as follows : — S.s. " Eotorua." S.s. " Clan MacTavish." £ £ Meat ... ... ... 89,991 47,558 Wool ... ... ... 221,625 Cheese ... ... ... 102,318 Scheelite ... ... ... 1,641 £415,575 £47,558