IN FREIGHT ON FRUIT

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 144, 15 December 1922, Page 7

IN FREIGHT ON FRUIT

COASTAU COSTS HERE TOO HIGH

SHIPOWNEKS SAY COAL ALONE IS

CHEAPER.

(UNIIEB FRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPIMSIT.) (AUSTRALIAN-NEW ZEALAND CASLE ASSOCIATION.) LONDON, 13th December. A deputation of the National Federation of Wholesale Fruit Trades, consist-ing-of a number of leading importers of Australasian apples, interviewed the Australasian Refrigerated Tonnage Cdmmittee, consisting of representatives of P. and 0., Aberdeen, Commonwealth, and Dominion, and Commonwealth Government lines. The deputation urg«d the acceptance of freight payments on this side, instead of Australia, owing to-the exceptional difficulty in arranging credits. The committee replied that the freight money was required in Australia to pay the costs there. The deputation strongly urged a reduction in the freight below 5s per case. The matter was freely discussed, and the deputation pointed out that refrigeraed freight on apples from the north-east coast of America worked out at 4s per case, the voyage occupying the same time as the Australasian. It -was also pointed out that while ariivftk of American apples are not yet large, prioes ■are much lower than'usual, realising the freight and the amount advanced; therefore appearances indicate that Australians in 1923 will realise even less than in 1922, especially as the Americans are sure to overlap throughout April and part pf May.- • ' ; The committee replied that it had met several times to consider the matter, realising that the interests, of growers and shipowners were identical, but while the Australian costs, port light dues, wages, etc., remain at- the war level, it was impossible to make further reduction. If, however/ the Australian costs wore reduced, the committee was quite prepared to lower freights. So fax the only thing showing any reduction from the rates during wartime was coal.