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produce accumulated in New Zealand and shipment thereof is becoming intolerable, and I hope you will represent this to the Imperial authorities. If you are unable to reply fully to-day answer as much as you can of my telegram and complete reply at earliest opportunity.—-Allen. From High Commissioner for New Zealand to Hon. the Acting Prime Minister, Wellington. 21st May, 1917. With reference to your telegrams of 16th and 21st May on subject of tonnage, and also likelihood of Imperial Government purchase of produce next season : Have approached Imperial Government stating urgent necessity for early reply. Tonnage question will bo considered at meeting of Board of Trade Tonnage Committee 23rd May, and I will send you all available information as soon as possible. Imperial Government desirous of purchasing wool-clip season 1917-18 same prices and on same conditions as present contract. Letter on this subject sent you 16th May. Will furnish information as to other lines of produce as soon as possible. Question of cheese, butter, under discussion by Board of Trade and Food Controller.—Mackenzie. From High Commissioner for New Zealand to Hon. the Acting Prime Minister, Wellington. 25th May, 1917. With reference to your telegrams 10th and 21st May, and my telegram 21st May: Cheese: Have been advised unofficially not to press for decision at present regarding next season's contract. Negotiations are proceeding in connection with Canadian supplies, and it is considered better to wait till these are complete, when there are possibilities of obtaining offers of higher prices than those received at present. Tonnage position very difficult owing to necessity for sending numerous Australian steamers shorter voyages for wdreat and meat. lam exerting utmost pressure to have as much as possible tonnage reserved for New Zealand, and matter receiving earnest consideration and support of Board of Trade, Ministry of Shipping, and Food Controller. It is with great regret that I have to inform you that they state that outlook bad, and that there is not likely to be any great amount of relief for Australia or New Zealand in the near future, two steamers being sent to New Zealand in ballast in one or two weeks. Will use every endeavour in direction of obtaining more insulated tonnage. Will reply on the other matters when information available. —Mackenzie. From Hon. the Acting Prime Minister, Wellington, to the High Commissioner for New Zealand. 16th June, 1917. There are in store at the present time 3,300,000 60 lb. carcases frozen meat, 130,000 crates cheese, and 230,000 boxes butter awaiting shipment. Two steamers are only available for loading this month, and four in sight for July. I should feel much obliged if you would consult the Board of Trade and advise the prospects of additional tonnage being made available to relieve the congestion before the new season commences. Unless a very considerable improvement in the shipping position can be effected it is evident that the production next season will be seriously curtailed. General cargo is also accumulating fast, particularly tallow and hides. Please wire fullest information available on all points. COPIES OF TELEGRAMS BETWEEN HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF NEW ZEALAND AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES, ETC. From Governor-General of New Zealand to Secretary of State for the Colonies. 2nd July, 1917. My Government learn with apprehension that it is reported that owners of steamship " Opawa," now due in the Dominion, and which is to proceed to Australia to complete discharge, have no advice that this steamer is to return to New Zealand to load frozen meat and dairyproduce. My Ministers earnestly request, that this steamer shall not be diverted from New Zealand trade at such a critical point. Frozen-meat stores contain no less than 3,250,000 601b. carcases at the present time, and will be increased by a further 500,000 before close of season. There are also in store 250,000 boxes butter and 130,000 crates cheese, the whole of which is awaiting shipment, in addition to large accumulation of general cargo, such as wool, hemp, hides, and tallow.—Liverpool. From Governor-General of New Zealand to Secretary of State for the Colonies. 4th July, 1917. Urgent: Prime Minister has been informed that "Port Kembla " and "Port Elliott" will arrive here this month to discharge inward cargo, subsequently proceeding to Australia to discharge balance there, and that then they are to be diverted from New Zealand frozen-meat trade. My Government therefore earnestly request that special consideration be given to pressing requirements here as set forth in my telegram of 2nd July, and. urge that these two vessels and the " Opawa " be made available for loading produce in New 'Zealand.—Liverpool. From Governor-General of New Zealand to Secretary of State for the Colonies. 11th July 1917. Prime Minister has been informed by the Overseas Tonnage Committee, Wellington, that it is probable that ten insulated steamers will be available for freighting New Zealand produce