REFRIGERATED FRUITS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18275, 16 December 1922, Page 9

REFRIGERATED FRUITS.

FREIGHT FROM AUSTRALIA.

REQUEST FOR REDUCTION. la. and N.Z. LONDON, Dec. 13.

A deputation from the National Federation of Wholesale Fruit Trades, consisting of a number of leading importers of Australian apples, interviewed the Australian and New Zealand Refrigerated Tonnage Committee, composed of representatives of the Peninsular, Orient, Aberdeen, Commonwealth and Dominion, and Commonwealth Government lines. The deputation urged the acceptance of fc«ight payments on this side instead of in Australia owing to exceptional ($&• culty in arranging credits. The committee replied that freight money was required in Australia to pay the costs there. The deputation strongly urged a reduction of freight below 5s a case. The matter was freely and fairly discussed.

The deputation pointed out that refrigerated freight for apples from the North-east coast of America worked out at 4s a case, the voyage occupying almost the same time as -from Australia. It also pointed out that while arrivals of American apples were not \ yet large, prices were much lower than usual, and were not realising the freight and the amount advanced for it. Appearances indicated that Australian apples in 1923 would realise even less than in 1922, especially as American supplies were euro to overlap throughout April and part of May. The committee replied that it had met several times to consider the matter, realising that the interests of growers and shipowners were identical, but while Australian costs, port dues, wages, etc., remained at the war level it would be impossible to make a further reduction, but if Australian costs were reduced, the committee would be quite prepared to lower freights. So far the only item showing any reduction from war rates was coal.