FRUIT TRADE DISABILITIES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18612, 21 July 1922, Page 7

FRUIT TRADE DISABILITIES

TO THE EDITOE. Sib,— At a fully representative meeting of the South Island Fruit and Produce Brokers’ Association, comprising representatives from Invercargill in the south to Christchurch in the north, held in Dunedin on Tuesday evening, it was unanimously decided to protest strongly against the present shipping facilities on practically all commodities importeo into the South Island. Tho South Island public has been patiently suffering for a number of • years in regard to the importations of various fruits, and the association recognises that the time has now arrived when better facilities should be provided for the transport and handling of their importations. 'ihe freight on bananas from Suva previous to tho war was 3s 6d per case on a through freight to Invercargill. At the present time it costa 13s fid per case freight —in other words, over throe times the prewar cost —and it usually happens that, owing to tho coastal shipping facilities bejng so uncertain, merchants who have to import these goods for their customers have to avail themselves of railing fruit to Wellington, ship by ferry to Lyttelton, _ and then rail to Dunedin or Invercargill with u subsequent risk of damage by frost in tho winter and of over-ripeness during the summer. What applies to bananas applies in a similar degree to other classes of fruits imported from overseas. The fruit and produce brokers assembled feel that the matter is of such vital importance to tho public of the South Island that all commodities, especially perishable goods, such as fruit, should be imported on an equal basis to the North Island. With this object in view they decided that special representations bo made to the various bodies throughout the South Island asking for their hearty support and assistance in this matter. It was felt that, if such a service was again in commission such as wo enjoyed in pre-war times, tho shipping companies would eventually find that not only would they receive full support from the shippers overseas, but we in the South Island would gradually re-estab-lish our export and import trade. Wo also wish to point out that the Government for tho last four years has guaranteed the Nelson people one penny per pound on all apples exported to the Old Country. Now, however, when the Central Otago growers are in a position to ship, the Government, wo understand, has notified the fruitgrowers that it cannot continue tho guarantee. This does not give much encouragement to the Central Otago growers more especially as they arc at a great disadvantage regarding shipping facilities Compared with the Nelson growers. Nelson has practically a direct service to London, whereas we in the south &r© greatly handicapped for the want of a satisfactory service. Nelson shippers enjoyed these privileges in assisting to build up their export trade, and the Central Otago growers will consequently be debarred from establishing their export trade on tho same basis os their northern friends.

Another injustice we desire to stress is this; The Government subsidises the Yan-couvor-to-Auokland service and the San Francisco direct to Wellington service, and the whole of the dominion public contributes towards the' payment of the subsidy. Here again tho North Island reaps the benefit of all import and export trade to the detriment of the South Island, and we in the south are labouring under great disadvantages compared with the north, especially Wellington and Auckland. It is high time that the Government and the shipping companies considered the necessities of the South Island in regard to its shipping facilities, and wo as a body intend to do our utmost to have these important matters rectified. (Vo therefore respectfully submit that the various companies interested and the Government of this country should take into consideration the advisability of placing the importers and exporters of the South Island on an ecual footing with those of the north. On behalf of the South Island Fruit and Produce Brokers’ Association. — We are, etc., E. Oswald Reu.lt, President. H. F. Patton, Secretary. July 20.