“WE WANT FAIR TREATMENT!”

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3564, 2 July 1912, Page 7

“WE WANT FAIR TREATMENT!”

MR W f . D. LYSNAR TALKS PLAINLY TO THE PEOPLE OF BRISTOL.

NOTHING TO PREVENT INCREASED TRADE.

HOW THE INSURANCE COMPANIES COULD HELP.

By Telegraph—Special Correspondent. AUCKLAND, July 1.

Mr W. D. Lysnar, of Gisborne, who is now in England oh a health-and holiday mission, was interviewed in Bristol by a representative of the “Western Daily Press,” the subject of their gossip being the prospects of increased trade/between New Zealand ancl the port of Bristol. When asked for an opinion as to the port, compared with others in England, Mr Lysnar intimated, that he had no hesitation in saying that when' he inspected tho port with others in England in 1910, Avonmoutli’s was one of the best-equipped, and was certainly head and shoulders above the port of London in the matter of facilities. Since then, the Docks Committee had largely increased the facilities for receiving and storing frozen produce, thus enabling the discharge of a full cargo of an average -New Zealand boat if necessary. The particular advantage of Avonmouth, in Mi Lysnar’s eyes, lies chiefly in the fact that the frozen produce is taken directly from the holds of the ship and discharged at the entrance to the cold chamber, in which the produce is sorted and stored. “Very rapid hydraulic cranes provided oil the upper floors,” he continued, “greatly accelerated the discharge. The produce goes from the store immediately in to tho railway van or horsed van (which is under cover) and is despatched.” Mr Lysnar came over in the Somerset. Speaking of this service, he remarked that it was not frequent enough, and when asked why it was not increased, replied “Because the merchants in Bristol do not attract enough trade to warrant an increased service.”

Asked for suggestions for bringing about an increased trade between Bristol and New Zealand, Mr Lysnar acknowledged that the City had a splendid jiort, but no matter how much was spent on it, the port was of no use unless its existence and advantages were advertised and made known to the people who control the sending of produce Home. Mr Lysnar declared that the advantages of Bristol’s port were very little known in the Dominion of New Zealand, and lie earnestly suggested that steps should be taken by the Docks Committee and by Bristol merchants to advertise- its facilities and unique advantages as a distributing base for Colonial produce. He also suggested that, in view of the expeditiuos manner in which cargoes can be discharged at and distributed from Avonmoutli, the mercantile people at Home and in New Zealand should make joint representative to the insurance companies asking for a concession on insurances.

“There is the New Zealander,” he proceeded, “who thinks there is a verv small chance of legitimate damage being done to produce discharged at Bristol, as compared with some other ports, and he is of opinion that the insurance companies should reduce the premium on a general claim for damage quite £2 per £IOO on produce coming to Bristol, as that against that going, for instance, to London. “This on a full shipment of meat,” Mr Lysnar added, “'would represent a saving on 100,000 carcases of about £2OOO in premium alone ” Having discussed tho matter with insurance men both on this side and in New Zealand, he is satisfied that his figures are near the mark, and he believed that the companies were prepared to do the fair tiling. . Another suggestion which Mr Lysnar made and emphasised the importance of was that the merchants in Bristol should establish reliable agencies for not only handling dairy produce but particularly frozen meat. There were, he said, good agencies so far as dairy produce was concerned, but he knew of none for frozen meat. “New Zealand,” lie concluded, “has been seething with discontent so far as the actual producers are concerned, ns to the manner in which their pro- s duce is marketed on this side, and the poultry returns made for good products. Unless New Zealanders got a fair return for their products in this country they will be forced to find other channels through which to trade. We are loyal colonists, but we are entitled to fair treatment.”