NELSON FRUITGROWERS

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 24, 29 January 1927, Page 8

NELSON FRUITGROWERS

COMPLAINT ABOUT SHIPPING

. (By Telegraph.) (Spocial to "The Evening Post.") NELSON, This Day. So indignant are' the fruit-n-owers throughout this district at the injustice done to Nelson by the Overseas Shipping Committee in the , matter .of direct loading of apples at Port Nelson that a mass meeting of growers is to be held on "Mon- | day next. A- meeting of the-Nelson Export Fruitgrowers' Association held on Thursday evening discussed at length the unfortunate position growers were in owing to the decision that .no direct overS 1 ] 3Oat f T7?? ld l oad at Nelson before the middle of March, and that no fixtures have, yet been made for later shipments. It was considered that as Nelson was supplying 90-per cent, of the export apples, and in view of the successful and expeditious loading of the Port Hobart last season-which instanced the suitability of the Nelson Harbour and facilitiestor.loading—the province was justified in claiming to have more overseas ships loading at Port Nelson than appears probSatisfaction was expressed at the quality and ,«ost of CO.OOO fruit cases which arrived by the West Conob last week. i.ne association has reason to believe that next year the price of cases will be still lower. . •'...'■. Exception was taken to the deletion of certain varieties of apples for export, and the Control Board's reply that it would take no action ,in the matter was considered unsatisfactory. Further representations will be made. ._ A letter from the Control Board stated that it would not entertain any. f.o.b. sales. unless made by the board for the benefit of all growers under the control ot\ the board. This also was considered unsatisfactory. Offers of 8s 6d and 9s had been received recently for large quantities o£ apples, and under the Control Board's decision these offers must be refused. The association is of opinion that this class of business should be fostered, especially •in view of the guarantee leaving no margin of profit. Local marketing conditions were discussed. ' It is possible that action will be taken to promote legislation which will ensure the producer getting a better return. . • ■ \ ' ■'