PRODUCE CARTAGE RATES

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28266, 2 May 1957, Page 9

PRODUCE CARTAGE RATES

Growers To Oppose Percentage Rise

Rather than accept a percentage increase in cartage rates, the Canterbury Tomato, Stone Fruit, and Vegetable Growers’ Association will approach the Commissioner of Transport (Mr H. B. Smith) and submit its case for direct negotiations with the Christchurch and Suburban Carriers’ Association. At the Growers’ Association’s annual meeting last evening the secretary (Mr J. P. Goldsmith) reported that the Carriers’ Association had requested an increase in its schedule and had petitioned the Chamber of Commerce to negotiate for a 9 per cent, increase in rates. The negotiations had broken down when the chamber offered to negotiate for only 6 per cent. The dispute had been referred to the commissioner to. settle and the carriers’ association was awaiting his decision on the matter, said Mr Goldsmith.

The growers’ association had already decided that it did not want percentage increases on its present rates and was prepared to meet the carriers’ association for negotiations. But the carriers had wanted the matter approached as a whole through the chamber and the commissioner. "To keep away from this percentage increase it might be opportune for us to make direct representations to the commissioner,” Mr Goldsmith said.

Mr A. F. Seyb said the association should dissociate itself in this matter from the chamber and “should not fall into this trap they are setting for us.” South Auckland growers fell into a similar trap some time ago and got a 13 per cent, increase in cartage rates, he said.

Some members complained that some carriers had already made percentage increases.