Choice Of Transport For Produce Urged

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31089, 18 June 1966, Page 16

Choice Of Transport For Produce Urged

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 17. A producer should be free to choose the most efficient and best means of transport for fruit and vegetables if the consumer was to get them in the best possible condition, says the report of the Committee of Inquiry into the handling and transport of fresh fruit and vegetables.

If the economic protection of the Railways was more important in the public interest the department should be prepared to provide a more adequate service, the report says.

The report makes five suggestions for improving rail freighting. They are: Speedier placing and unloading of waggons containing fresh fruit and vegetables once they have reached their destination. A higher standard of handling the produce by labour employed for the loading and unloading of waggons. Closer supervision of labour by the Railways Department.

Provision of additional overnight services and express services where practicable and warranted. A reduction in the time taken to meet claims for pillage, short deliveries and damage.

The report says the main complaints received about rail transportation of fresh produce were damage by poor handling and the serious shortage of waggons suitable for carrying fruit and vegetables.

Poor handling was mainly attributed to the use of casual labour for loading and unloading, generally by inexperienced handlers. The shunting of waggons caused movement among stacked cases and resulted in damage. Some representatives agreed that the transport of fresh

produce by rail was most suitable for long hauls if the correct type of waggon was used.

Produce sent by rail had at least twice as many handlings as produce sent by road, the report says. Road travel was more flexible, especially in its ability to catch early markets. The report, which was prepared by Mr F. F. Reid, of Christchurch, was being studied, said the Minister of Transport (Mr McAlpine).