I.—loa

IV

PROPOSED STATEMENT BY NEW ZEALAND OVERSEAS SHIPOWNERS' COMMITTEE TO PRESS ASSOCIATION. The New Zealand Overseas Shipowners' Committee announce that the London Tonnage Committee advise that there is every prospect of considerable space being available for shipments of private wool to the United Kingdom and Continent, which until further notice will be carried at lfd. per pound for greasy wool, lfd. for slipe wool, and for scoured wool, no primage being charged. In view of possible storage difficulties, bills of lading will be claused so as to ensure that consignees take delivery from the steamer's tackles as fast as steamer can discharge. Shippers will have the option of prepaying freight on shipment or paying on delivery. PROPOSED CIRCULAR FROM SHIPPING COMPANIES TO THEIR AGENTS. Circular No. 12.—Private Wool-shipments. It is, expected that some space will be available for privately-owned wools in September and following months, and for which the rates of freight have been fixed as follows to United Kingdom and Continental ports : Greasy, lfd. per pound ; scoured, 2|d. per pound ; slipe, lfd. per pound. (Net; no primage). No through bills of lading will be issued to inland places. Steamer will not pay coastal freight on wool from out-ports. Shippers to have option of prepaying freight on this side, or on delivery. Bills of lading to be claused : " Freight due on shipment ship and (or) cargo lost or not lost." In view of possible storage difficulties at destination bills of lading are to be claused as follows : " Consignees undertake immediately on arrival of the steamer within the port of discharge to be, ready forthwith to receive their cargo as fast as the steamer can discharge from, the ship's tackles wherever she may be lying, and in the event of the consignees failing from any cause whatsoever to so take delivery the shipowners are at liberty, at the merchant's wish and expense, to discharge, into craft and (or) to land in any available storage space, notwithstanding that it may not be a usual place for the discharge of such goods or that the goods may not be stored under cover, same being at merchant's risk absolutely from the time, of leaving the ship's tackles, anything in this bill of lading to contrary notwithstanding."

MEMORANDUM FROM PRIME MINISTER TO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL INDUSTRIES, STOCK, AN!) COMMERCE COMMITTEE. Dear Sir,— Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 30th July, 1920. I have to inform you that the Government is exceedingly anxious, in view of the condition existing in this country at present, and the necessity for arriving at a proper understanding in regard to getting our products away from the, Dominion to the different markets of the world, that the Agricultural and Pastoral Industries, Stock and Commerce Committee should take in hand an inquiry— Firstly, as to whether sufficient shipping is likely to be available for the purpose of our trade, especially the export of our produce during the next few years ; and, secondly, to arrive at a definite understanding with the shipping companies as to what the rates of freight are likely to be, especially for wool, meat, dairy-produce, and flax. The Committee has power to call for persons and papers ; and you will, of course, take into consideration increases in wages, and the cost of coal, and, generally, the cost of running ships as compared with the pre-war period. I shall bo glad if you will let me know what you think of this proposal. Yours faithfully, W. F. Massey. The Chairman, Agricultural, and Pastoral Industries, Stock and Commerce Committee, House of Representatives, Wellington.