SOUTH ISLAND PRODUCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18685, 15 April 1924, Page 16

SOUTH ISLAND PRODUCE.

OUSTED BY AUSTRALIA. QUESTION OF FREIGHTS. DATA TO BE OBTAINED. [Br TXLKGBAPH.—OWN CXJaBBSTOKDENT.] ASHBURTON. Monday. A suggestion that the North Island markets are virtually closed to the South Island so far as certain classes of produce are concerned was mentioned at a meeting of the Mid-Canterbury executive of the Farmers' Union.

The presidont, Mr. G. W. Leadley, said there were insistent complaints that Southern produce could not bo put on the North Island markets at prices at which it could compete with Australian produce. Merchants said the stores were full, and in consequence there was much produce left in Southern paddocks. The question was how far such a serious matter would be allowed to go if unchecked. It would mean that the South Island would bo completely at the mercy of the Australians, and that South Island merchants must expec't much lower prices than were given by the North Island for Australian produce. The northerners preferred to import from Australia rather than ship from Itftte-ton. In Canterbury they had chaff and potatoes for which they could not find markets. The North Island would be getting everything from Australia except grass seed. Mr Leadley said that £5 15s per ton ■was being quoted for chxff, while £13 was the price in Auckland. The opinion was expressed that the cost of transport between the two islands had a great deal to do with the trouble. Under present conditions the man who handled the produce for one month made more than the man who grew it. The Government should be asked to subsidise the carrying of produce, in order thatthe southerners might hold their own against Australia. Mr. Leadley said the freight charges from Australia, were slightly lower lihan the New Zealand coastal freights. > It was decided that the chairman should obtain data concerning the comparative prices of chaff, potatoes, and oats and the freight charges, and report at next meeting.