THE EXPORT OF FRUIT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8683, 28 September 1891, Page 5

THE EXPORT OF FRUIT.

Since tho trade in tho export of fruit began, a great many difficulties have been experienced. This was only to be expected, and is the usual experience with all new industries. In Auckland a difficulty • has arised in regard to the payment of freight. Many of our rural settlors are not blessed with an abundance of money, and in the export of fruit the shipping companies insist upon prepayment of freight. This, to some growers, is a serious matter, as several months must "necessarily elapse before

account sales can be obtained from London. In the meantime, the fruit grower is without his fruit and without his money. When the shipping companies have been approached on the subject they have declined to take the risk of fruit going bad on the way, for fear that in such a case they would he deprived of the freight fees. The entire loss of fruit cargoes is so very unlikely an event, that no doubt in course of time they will yield this point, and if a bond were taken from the fruit grower making him liable for the freight charges in the event of the fruit when sold in London not realising the cost of freight, we think very little risk would be incurred by the shipping companies in making this concession. Tho instances where such a great loss has occurred, are very rare indeed, hardly worth taking into consideration. The Chamber of Commerce have had tho matter under their consideration,and thofollowing letter was despatched on Saturday : —

Auckland, September 2,">, 1891.. Isaac Gibbs,' Esrj., New Zealand Shipping Company, (Jhristchurcli. Sir, —The Council of the Chamber having had brought under their notice the present charges for freight, &c., for conveyance of fruit to London in cool chambers, also the mode of payment of freight for same, would respectfully suggest, that with a view to devclope a trade that is likely to assume large proportions, the companies should' reduce the freights in equal proportion to frozen meat; also, now that they have had several parcels of fruit passed through their hands, and can gauge the risks, if any, of the deterioration of the fruit in transit, make the freight payable in London. This will be > of great advantage to many who would ship, but are deterred from so doing on account of prepayment of freight. As the principal shipment would be made from the end of February to the middle of March, it would be a great boon to shippers if the departure of the steamers could be so i.rranged as to leave this port in the above months. Commending the above to your favourable consideration, I am, etc., Adam Porter, Chairman.