FREIGHT ON APPLES

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 89, 14 April 1923, Page 7

FREIGHT ON APPLES

DEPUTATION TO SHIPOWNERS.

(rROIJ, OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.}

LONDON, 23rd February. A deputation organised by the International Federation of Fruit and Potato Trades' Association waited on representatives of the Conference Lines of steamers this week with reference to the matter of freights on apples. The deputation consisted of members of the association, representatives of the High Commissioners, and Agents-General of the various States. Mr. Fred White (Commonwealth and Dominions Line) was the official spokesman for the shipping companies. America has had a good season for fruit, and for this and other reasons it is anticipated that apples from Australia and Now Zealand will not bring more than 12s a case in London. With the freight at 5s per case this would leave little either for the brokers or the producers. In fact, the deputation expressed the opinion that the business would not be a paying proposition in any degree if the freight remained at 5s per case. They, therefore, urged the Conference Lines to reduce the freight to 4s a box, and thus get on the same basis as the Commonwealth Government, Line. Tho case was ■very strongly put by the representatives of Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand, and by a, number of the English merchants.

Mr. S. Manhire, who represented Sir James Allen, was able, to put forward the plea made by cablegram by the New Zealand Fruitgrowers' Federation and a subsequent cablegram from the PrimeMinisler (Mr. Massey) supporting the appeal.

Shipping representatives were evidently much impressed with the urgency of the appeal, and Mr. White promised that the case should have the earnest attention of phipowners, but hn held out w great hopes of the request being granted.