OTAGO APPLE EXPORT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18333, 24 February 1923, Page 10

OTAGO APPLE EXPORT.

A DEARTH OF SHIPPING. The efforts of the Otago orchardists to substantially increase apple shipments seem likely to be frustrated through i no fault of their own, says the Otago Daily Times. It was hoped to ship a total of 20,000 cases, but late : frosts in some of the main apple districts reduced this estimate to 15,000, which it was intended to ship, half at the end of March and tha balance early in April. Advice has now been received that only one steamer will be available to lift apples at. Dunedin, with the result that shippers find themselves faced with a belated shipment again this year. Apart from this, it will mean that certain early varieties may have to be cuVout altogether. Shippers are by no means pleased, as it is quite evident that Dunedin must take a back seat in this as in other shipping matters. Growers are told that if they could guarantee from 15,000 to 20,000 cases per steamer, arrangements could probably bo made for more steamers, while on the other hand we find that last season no fewer than five steamers cleared from Wellington with less than 5000 cases on board. Efforts are being made to secure at least two steamers, and it is probable that the Importers and Shippers' Association, in conjunction with the Harbour Board and Chamber of Commerce, will be asked to take up the matter in the interests of the province.