WHARFAGE CHARGES ON FRUIT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 12 March 1936, Page 6

WHARFAGE CHARGES ON FRUIT

A REDUCTION ASKED FOR DIRECT LOADINGS STRESSED The New Zealand Fruitgrowers’ Federation wrote to yesterday’s meeting of the Nelson Harbour Board stating that the committee regretted that the Board had not been able to see its way to make some reduction in the wharfage on export fruit. “It should be pointed out that the various freight and wharfage charges incurred in the forwarding overseas of export fruit are debited out to growers under one heading known as ‘‘consolidated charges” and therefore and reduction which may be obtained on any individual charge is credited direct to the grower on a case, basis. Whilst tile quantity of fruit produced for export in this district is showing a steady increase the marketing of this produce at payable prices is becoming rather more difficult and it is therefore essential to investigate every possibility of making a reduction in transport and production costs. It, was with this in view that my committee, acting in conjunction with the Fruit Control Board, was investigating the possibility of obtaining a reduction in wharfage, freight and cool storage charges, and it was hoped that your Board would be able to see its way clear to assist in this direction. One of our main savings is per medium of direct loadings at Nelson and a strenuous effort, is being made to increase the proportion of the export fruit loaded direct. We realise that these direct loadings mean a source of revenue to your Board, and we would therefore make a further request that you reconsider your decision with a view to allowing a rebate on the wharfage charge on all export fruit loaded direct at Nelson. This would apply not only to the Port Nelson fruit, but to fruit transhipped to Nelson from Mapua and Motueka. We trust that your Board will be able to see its way to give ibis matter further and favourable consideration.”

Mr J. H. Brunt in reply to a question said that the Board was entitled to see the balance sheet of the Fruit Advisory Board.

The matter was referred to the wharves and finance committee for consideration, as was a further request from a city firm.