FRUIT TRADE

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 37, 12 February 1926, Page 10

FRUIT TRADE

BETWEEN THE ISLANDS AND NEW ZEALAND

DESCRIBED AS ABOMINABLE

A DISCUSSION AT DUNEDIN.

(By Telegraph.) (Special to "The Evening Post")

DUNEDIN, This Day.

The conditions of the present fruit trade between the Islands and New Zealand were described as "abominable" by a Christchureh importer who was among a big deputation representing the South Island fruit and manufacturing interests that conferred under the auspices of the Dunedin Manufacturers' Association. Coming from all parts of the South Island, the delegates discussed the fruit trade largely, but the chief object of the meeting was to arrange a direct i.hipping route from the Islands to. the South Island. Many suggestions were made as to the class of cargo that would provide back loading, and a. deputation was appointed to meet the Hon. Downie Stewart.

The chairman said that General Eichardson had made it plain that Samoa would have to develop direct trade with New Zealand, or there might be fears for the security of the Mandate, as trade was going to foreign ports. 'It was no quarrel with the North Island, in which they were engaged. TheTe were two issues that concerned them: (1) A direct route to the Islands from the. South Island, or (2) a route via North Island ports. They did not object to.fruit being taken to the North Island. The scheme was for the benefit of .New Zealand as a whole, and so long as South Island ports were supplied they would be quite satisfied. He referred to the opportunity offered for trade'with Fiji by the imposition in Australia of a duty on Fiji fruit, an 4 said that direct trade with Fiji and Same a would benefit New Zealand as well as the Islands. The advantage of getting fresh fruit landed quickly he did not need to stress.

The Hon. Downie Stewart, announced the chairman, had advised that a meeting of South Island delegates be held, and that" they collaborate with the Secretary of the Department of Industries and Commerce, Mr. J l. W. Collins, afijer which representations could be made to the Government on the question of the establishment of a shipping route. "ABOMINABLE." "Abominable" was the description Mr. G. D. Macfarlane applied to the state of the South Island trade. He blamed Fiji for a lot of the trouble, though it was not entirely responsible. Auckland merchants '' cornered "the fruit, and the South Island had to pay top price for any that'it got. "A child in the South Island," he added, "hardly knows the taste of a banana, and under present conditions is not likely to." He was satisfied that Fiji could get trade if shipping facilities were altered. The Hon. J. Boyd, M.L.C. (Fijian Commissioner), agreed, that part of the back loading trade could consist of temperate fruits, such' as apples grown in New Zealand. He estimated South'ls"--land requirements at 20,000 cases a week. Many of the delegates declared that that would be a low estimate. ' COMPLAINTS OF DEABNESS. -. Mr. Oswald Keilly (Dunedin), said they were dependent oe the honesty of Auckland merchants, transhipment in Union- Company's boats, and the vagaries of dispatch to Dunedin. "The public here complain of the dearness of fruit," said Mr. Beilly, "but they don't realise the difficulties with which brokers, and' perhaps, retailers, are faced." Mr. Collins: "Are the same difficulties experienced with Earotohga fruit arriving at Wellington, as with Fijian fruit*arriving at Auckland?" Mr. Beilly replied that Barotonga was nearer and the Government more sympathetic, so that the same difficulties did not arise. Suva fruit was treated as foreign fruit, whereas there was a saving in freight on Barotonga fruit. Both Mr. Reilly and Mr. Macfarlane said that the Cook Islands supply of bananas was not sufficient to meet New Zealand's demand. "I've been advised that it couldn't look at the trade," said Mr. Boyd. Mr. Macfarlane said the tender system was an iniquitous feature of the Cook Islands trade; it put too much in the bands of North Island merchants. Once when he got two consignments of fruit direct, an Auckland merchant told him that he would not get any more. How was he able to pull the strings? "This is all,news to me," said Mr. Collins. Mr. Boyd said the coal trade from New Zealand could be developed, but it was all a question of transport costs. Mi. Campbell (Dunedin),, suggested that if a direct route could iot be arranged there could be an improved coastal service to Auckland. In any case there should be smaller coastal ships. "We want direct trade," said Mr. Macfarlane. -In no other place, added Mr. Campbell, were such large ships used in the coastal trade. He strongly criticised the Union Company's policy of centreing" the Island trade at Auckland. NOT RUN BY UNION COMPANY. Mr. J. Wallace (Mayor of Timaru) said it was their duty to see that they were not "run" by the Union Company. The Government should step in. Mr. Marriner (Christehurch) said the suggestion made by the Chamber of Commerce would be to form a limited liability company, and put their own stores on the Islands. "Ton couldn't' get ships,," said Mr. Macfarlane; "it's been tried."

Perhaps ships could be secured, said Mr. Marriner, but there would be other advantages in having representation on the Islands. A fast steamer was wanted, not necessarily a large one. To get modern facilities, he agreed that it would be a good investment to pay Is extra. He also advocated a fiat rate to New Zealand ports.