FRUIT FOR CEYLON

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 34, 9 August 1933, Page 10

FRUIT FOR CEYLON

■ According to Ceylon reports, the fruit trade between Australia and that island needs some consideration. A recent issue of the "Crown Colonist of Ceylon" points out that Ceylon people complain that the fruit imported from Australia is 'of lower quality, than from California, and also that the fruit is not supplied in such quantities as the demand requires. "It is also remarked," says the report, "that the shipping companies make no provision for the storage of Australian fruit in refrigerators on the voyage between the Commonwealth and Ceylon, and, in consequence, the cargo deteriorates considerably during the voyage.' The reason given is that the quantity imported into Ceylon does not warrant the allocation of one of the large refrigerating chambers on board vessels which ply between Australia and England via Ceylon, and that if these chambers were opened at Colombo the remainder of the fruit going to England would be spoiled. It has been pointed out that this difficulty could be overcome by the installation of smaller refrigerating chambers. In direct contrast to the attitude of the Australian fruit exporters is that of their Cnlifornian rivals, who export fruit to Ceylon in cold chambers, and ensure that the produce arrives in the island in perfect condition. The American shipping companies have helped their fruit exporters by building a series of small refrigerators on their .vessels. "Blocked balances" of British firms at present "frozen" in Brazil and totalling about £250,000 are to be freed as the result of an agreement now reached between the firms concerned and the Brazilian Government. Unsatisfactory results having been disclosed on the property at Browns Belt, Central Australia, held under option, the directors of Golden Arunta Gold Mining Co N L have decided to return to shareholders the cash balance in hand. After meeting liabilities there will be available £1224, equal to £1 2s 3d per 100 shares.