EXPORT OF FRUIT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 229, 27 September 1930, Page 13

EXPORT OF FRUIT.

REFRIGERATING PROCESS. NEW SYSTEM URGED. In his address to shareholders in the Auckland Farmers' Freezing Co. at yesterday's annual meeting, the chairman of directors, Mr, J. E. Makgill, said: — The output of fruit handled this past season showed an increase in boxes for export of 24.099, or over 30 per cent increase on the previous season, and for local storage an increase of 35,214 boxes, or over 46 per cent. 'It was pleasing to see the growing export trade, and to learn that generally our apples were giving satisfaction. It was to be hoped that every effort would be made to improve the method of conveying our fruit to the markets -overseas. He was convinced that until trials were made of the adoption of the wet battery air circulation method of holding the temperatures and humidity in the holds of the steamers catering for our trade we could not hope to achieve the beet results. This system had been in use in the company's stores for over 20 years, and had been adopted in other stores as being practically essential for the satisfactory storage of fruit. It was quite as satisfactory for all other produce also, yet it had never been installed in any of the ships handling our produce. It was certainly the most satisfactory system for fruit and cheese, and our Dairy and Fruit Control Boards should insist on it being tried out properly on one ship. It would in all probability prove more economical to the ships also.