SOLDIERS AND FRUIT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 23 June 1943, Page 4

SOLDIERS AND FRUIT

GOOD WORK IN PAST SEASON During the past season fruit was loaded by soldiers at the Motueka and Mapua wharves, but not at the Nelson wharf, as was suggested in a notice of question given by Mr E. B. K. Gordon (Nat., Rangitikei) in the House of Representatives yesterday. The work of the soldiers, not only on the W’harves, but also in the orchards, has been praised by those who employed them, and it is recognised that without the soldiers’ assistance great difficulty would have been experienced in handling the crop. Fruitgrowers and others have freely acknowledged this in “The Mail.” The expeditious loading of ships by troops is indicated by one or two incidents on the Mapua wharf. For instance, the motor vessed Nikau, whose usual time of loading is six hours, was loaded by a gang of soldiers in five hours including a mealtime. Loading on the scow Pearl Kasper w’as completed in 1$ hours against the three hours usually required.