FRUIT PACKING CASES

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12196, 22 July 1925, Page 4

FRUIT PACKING CASES

LOCAL OR IMPORTED ? “GET TOGETHER SPIRIT WANTED” EFFECT OF NEW RAILWAY TARIFF “Tho present standard New; Zealand fruit eases are made .from Canadian timber,” was the somewhat startling information givon a “Times” represen-’ tative yesterday, which led to the subject being discussed with two, or three gentlemen interested in the timber and fruit industries. It then transpired that the ,new railway tariff will probably strike a blow at the fruit trade, both for export and homo consumption, and will make it still harder for the New Zealand bojomaker to compete with foreign supplies, which competition he has, according to the general impression, found it very difficult to meet either in quality or price. Dndter the present tariff fruit shook* of New Zealand timber are carried' free for 100 miles and at a specially - low rate—on a measurement basis—for anything in excess, provided, that the cases when packed were also convoyed by rail, tinder the new tariff a certain amount of carriage for tho whole distanoe will have to be paid. The growers, however, intend to appeal to the Railway Board not' to enforce tho change until they have had an opportunity of placing their views before the board. The full rates have always had to he paid on imnorted shocks, so that the new tariff will not affect them., but will have a tendency to encourage rather than discourage the importation of shocks, and tha- ’ not only for tho fruit trade. “The new tariff will certainly not. make it easier for the New Zealand timber people to compete with Can adinn or foreign competition, for under present conditions the New Zealand snwmiller ha 3 got to produce a better article of seasoned timber of better quality, and to supply these at 2d per box cheaper if he is,going to keep out tho imported article. “What it amounts to is this: The New Zealand sawmillors have not the modern machinery for the business, and the boxos they supply are not attractive enough. They want to secure a definite contract from the growers in order to ensure their financial side of tho question, hut on the; other hand the growers .before they place a definite and very large contract - want an assurance that the goods delivered will be up to their requirements.' Surely it should ho possible for the two. bodies to get together, and arrive'’at a mutual understanding which will be to the advantage of New Zealand -industry 1” Such ves the view of one whose position mile’s him interested in both as-pe-t, r>F t he pic Iter. There i« another nice .'nvol-ed; iu tho now railway tariff. The new'

rate will be’ based on weight,’ not measurement. - A great proptortion of the New Zealand snooks are green timber and full -of sap, and as the moisture in a. case will make as muoh as 31b difference in the weight of a case, it is 1 -not difficult to appreciate 'why the manufacturers or growers would rather pay on measurement.