COLONIAL PRODUCE IN LONDON.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 3435, 17 May 1898, Page 2

COLONIAL PRODUCE IN LONDON.

HOW IT IS TREATED,

INJUSTICE TO KAURI . GUM SHIPPERS. ...

Some idea of the treatment accorded to certain kinds of Now Zealand produce in London may be gleaned from a report presented by Mr John Holmes to the Industries and Commerce Department on, the subject of the kauri gum trade. Previous to Mr Holmes’ visit to England in connection with the kauri gum and hemp industries the department wrote ti> several Auckland kauri gum merchants for samples. One of these, in sending the samples asked for, called attention to the unaccountable loss in weight always sustained by shippers of this article to London. The losa was generally from 8 to lOlbs per case, a loss that was not shown by shipments to any other port. In fact in the United States markets the invoice weight was generally obtained. This meant a big thing to Auckland shippers* as the value of the gum lost in this way in some shipments exceeded the freight and other charges in connection with its sals, in London.

Mr Holmes made special inquiries into this matter, and in his report be states: — “Upon inquiry from several brokers I was advised that no such loss could exist. I, however, assured them that there seemed no doubt upon the point, and the complaints came from bona fide shippers in Auckland. After several interviews, I suggested the advisableneas of visiting the warehouses where the gum was stored. Messrs John Hadden and Co. very kindly introduced me to Messrs Lewis and Peat, of Mincing Lane* and Mr Peat offered hia assistance to elucidate a problem which he stated had never before been presented to him, At a later date, Mr Peat, under special appointment, visited the warehouse and there made an examination of the system of weighing, taring and sampling adopted by the trade.

“In the first place I found that the samples aro taken from tbo cases before weighing. These samples vary considerably, depending upon the size of each shipment and the number of qualities of which it is composed. For instance,, where the consignment consists of a few cases of different qualities, the sampling is proportionately very heavy. From one case as much as Mb will be taken, whereas with three or tour cases of the same quality, 21b per case is sufficient, and with 10 cases or over of the same brand, an average of 11b is accepted. “ This lad me to see for myself the plan adopted in weighing and taring each package. I discovered that the benefit of ‘ the turn of tha scales ’ is always given in favour of the buyer, both on the gross weight and tare of the case; these will average 21b per case. “In addition to the foregoing the custom has long been established of allowing a ‘draft’ of lib to 21b per cent, off the warrant (a certificate representing the particulars of the case). This system applies not only to kauri gum, but is extended to goods of greater value.

“ During the progress of the weighing; which I personally superintended, I was surprised to notice a package of nails placed on the scales when taring the package. To this I took exception, pointing out that / the nails were twice weighed against the shipper, for the lid of -the case was forced opou with the original naila remaining therein. Some discussion took hereon, and Mr Feat frankly ad- ; mitted that although he had many years* experience in the gum trade, he had never previously noticed this custom. I, however, pointed out that although the extra weight of the packet of nails did not in itself represent very much, still in view of the custom of giving the buyer the benefit of the ‘ turn of tho scales * it would press unfairly upon the shipper, u Consignors may not be aware that the contents of each case are thrown ont on the floor and are repacked after sampling and examination. To anyone witnessing this operation it is at once evident that some of tho loss complained of would be accounted for in the repacking. 14 Moreover* greater care if, I think, necessary in thoroughly emptying the contents of tbe case before the latter is tared, otherwise any portion of the gum left in the case increases tbe tare of the package, and consequently reduces the net return of gum. If a united representation was made by the shippers in Auckland through tho Government or the Chamber of Commerce, I am of opinion that tho brokers here would assist in bringing about an improvement in the present system.**