BUTTER FOR CANADA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15412, 22 September 1913, Page 8

BUTTER FOR CANADA.

■ ■♦ AUCKLAND'S HANDICAP. MATTER BEFORE THE HOUSE. [BY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Sunday. A protest against the manner in which Auckland shippers of butter to Canada are handicapped in connection with freights, as compared with Wellington traders, was entered in the House of Representatives late on Friday night by Mr. J. A. Young (Waikato). The protest was in the form of a letter, which Mr. Young read, from the New Zealand Dairy Association to the manager of the Union Company at Auckland. This was as follows :— "We recently corresponded regarding the American trade, when I put before you facts and figures which showed that Auckland is, and has been, in a relatively worse position than Wellington in respect of the freight charge on butter; and in respect of trade with San Francisco, Auckland is in a worse position than last year. " Since last writing to you, the position has been made worse as" far as the comparison between Auckland and Wellington is concerned. It has been announced that, subject to certain conditions, Wellington merchants will have the opportunity of sending to either San Francisco or Vancouver at a through rate of Id per lb. According to last advice, Auckland merchants will be required to pay on butter to San Francisco Id per lb, plus a coastal freight of from l-5d to ] ( d per lb, according to which route is use! Thus, the handicap of which I compla.ned in my recent communications to you is increased. I now ask that the handicap be removed, and that the same opportunity be extended to Auckland as has already been granted to Wellington. In respect of the through freight, I am not aware why we should be required to pay more than we paid last year. Neither am 1 aware of any reason why we should not have the same advantages as Wellington in this respect. " Last season my association went to a lot of trouble and expense in opening up business with California, and the response has been of a most gratifying kind. We have fought our way through the initial discouragements and disadvantages, and a large business is opening up before this province. It promises to become quite as important as the business already established with Canada, and I view with grave concern the present handicap upon the Auckland trade."