ISLAND FRUIT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18677, 5 October 1922, Page 8

ISLAND FRUIT

REPLY TO HON. J. A. HAN AN. AUCKLAND MERCHANTS STATE THE POSITION. (From Our Own Correspondent.) ' , AUCKLAND, October 4. Tire allegation made by the Hon. J. A. Hanan, of Invercargill, that there is s ring in Auckland controlling the distribution of Island fruit was denied this morning by Air J. B. Donald, of Alessrs Donald (Ltd.), and Mr Harvey managing director of ; Alessrs Turner and Growers (Ltd.). “It is quite incorrect,” they stated, “and, as far as we know’, there is no ring in the wholesale business in New Zealand in connection with the distribution of Island' oranges and bananas.” Regarding the price of. Island fruit in tho South Island, mentioned by Air Hanan, it was stated that the transport arrangements generally debarred any possibility of the fruit being sold there at prices similar to those ruling in Auckland and Wellington. In numerous instances’ heavy losses had resulted in transit. There was an ih--1 stance at Oarnaru, where Alessrs Turners •tnd Growers had forwarded a consignment of oranges. They were repacked before they left Auckland, and more than half had to be discarded. They then cost the firm LI per case, but they had to be again repacked at Oarnaru, and the landed cost there wo.s £2 a case. They were sold at 26s a ease wholesale, which showed a heavy loss. 1 here was another case where a shipment. of 200 cases of bananas was sent to Invercargill and resulted in a loss of over £IOO. A consignment of 700 cases of bananas sent by Alessrs Donald (Ltd.) showed a less of £4OO. Oranges which cost 12s fid. a case to land at Auckland last month, cost over 23s after being repacked, this being due to tho loss of fruit—which was nearly half —labour in repacking, cartage, and the cost of destroying the bad fruit. At times money was . made in sending fruit south, but in tho long run it was better to sell at the wharf. The southern men would not buy at the wharf at Auckland owing to the risk of getting- the fruit in good condition to the South Island towns. No doubt if the fruit could he landed in Auckland in good condition it would carry much better to tho south, and could be sold at about half the present rates. Mr R, Al‘Calhim, AI.P., had stated that there was an enormous lack of enterprise on the part of Auckland business men in not fostering the trade. They should, ho said, establish',a line of vessels to the Islands for the purpose of bringing fruit to Auckland. Air Turner thought this was ridiculous, seeing that Sir Maul Pomare had stated that tho Government could not dictate to the Union Steam Ship Company, which “had them by the wool.” The Union Steam Ship Company had the trade, and if the Government could not start against it what was the use of suggesting-that tho business men of Auckland should do so. If a suitable vessel was put on the run—and they agreed with Sir Alaui Pomare that an insulated steamer was necessary—it would improve matters considerably. If members of Parliament were earnest in their opinions they should see that this was brought about by subsidising a good steamer from Auckland. It was the slowness of the present service, and the uncertainty of the steamer calls, that put the trade in such an unsatisfactory state.