ISLAND FRUIT SERVICE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 226, 24 September 1927, Page 9

ISLAND FRUIT SERVICE.

rmriRART of steamer. SHOULD AUCKLAND HAVE PRIORITY. (By Telegraph. — Parliamentary Reporter.l WELLINGTON, Friday. It was argued in the House to-night by Mr. J. A. Lee (Auckland East) that, as Auckland had one-third of the total population of the Dominion, and had the largest market for tropical fruit, that city was entitled to claim that the new Government steamer in the Island fruit trade should call first at Auckland on every second voyage. The Prime Minister reminded Mr. Lee that the ship was insulated, and j eargroes would arrive in good condition. Mr. Lee retorted that by the time the fruit arrived at Auckland from southern ports it would be in an impossible state. The Minister of External Affairs (Hon. Nosworthy) explained that the steamer was to run from the Islands alternately to Lyttelton, Wellington and Auckland. At present Auckland had a regular service, and was well served. It was intended to give this new scheme a trial, and there was no reason why it should not operate successfully. When Mr. Forbes, Leader of the National party, protested that Auckland's claims were being advanced to the detriment of the South Island, he ' wa3 subjected to several interjections, Mr. Lee remarking that in the "solid south" the fruit market was almost solely restricted to rolled oats. (Laughter.)