ISLAND FRUIT TRADE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 159, 30 March 1908, Page 7

ISLAND FRUIT TRADE.

. -fc- —• DISSATISFACTION-IN AUCKLAND. . ■ (IIY. TEUGIiArn—rRESS ASSOCIATION.) ' Auckland, March 29. ' Considerable dissatisfaction exists amongst Island fruit traders regarding tha arrival in Auckland: of boats from Fiji and Tonga. At the present time the boats from Fiji and Tonga arrive generally with - a Very small interim,-and, as a result, it is estimated that a loss accrues to traders of from £1500. to £2000 every time the boats so arrive. •' That the Fiji boat cannot very well bo altered is fully rocognised'by; the traders, because tills sorvico has. to connect with the Vancouver boat, but the bone of contention is that the Tongan boa ( t has no direct or British mail service to connect with, and it is a matter of much complaint that the Tonkin servicers not so altered as to allow of a clear soven days hotween tho'arrival of any boats from either Fiji, Tonga, or the Cook Islands.. A ' ; _ " Tho tradoi from both places is l identical,, and the simultaneous arrival of tho boats is held to be suicidal, both to oxportbrs. and importers. If tho boat arrived ns suggested, a glut in tho marlcot would be obviated, ana tho supply of fruit would bo frosher, and -more consistently.regular than at presont. A deputation is to. wait on tno. Union Steam Ship Company, to urge the introduction of a new system of arrivals and departures of Island boats. 1