ISLAND FRUIT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26289, 22 October 1946, Page 4

ISLAND FRUIT

SOUTH ISLAND'S SHARE

DUNEDIN TRADERS’ INTEREST

IMPROVED SHIPMENTS ADVOCATED

Support for the Canterbury Progress League in its effort to obtain better supplies of Island fruit for the South Island was given by members of the Dunedin wholesale and retail fruit trade yesterday morning. The meeting was held at the suggestion of the Dunedin Development Council, and its director, Mr M. S. Myers, presided. In addition to members of the trade, shipping interests and the Otago Importers and Shippers' Association were also represented. The chief Object of the meeting was to improve the quality and increase the quantity of Island fruit coming to the South Island, and particularly to Otago and Southland. Members of the trade stated that they were more concerned with the public having the opportunity to buy fruit than in traders having an increased turnover in Island lruit. War-time problems and the difficulties being faced at present were fully realised, it was stated, but there were ways in which improvements could be effected now and in the future trade with the Islands. Decline in Shipments

It was pointed out that in 1945 only 189,000 cases of oranges had been brought to New Zealand compared with 460,000 in 1939. Shipments of bananas showed a similar decline—--118,600 cases in 1945 and 410,000 in 1939 —and the figures for grapefruit, lemons and pineapples revealed a corresponding decrease. Production difficulties no doubt played some part in these figures, but not only was the quantity insufficient for the demand, but the quality was unsatisfactory. It was stated that a distribution was made at Auckland on a pro rata basis, but even if this were done strictly according to the population figures the South Island—and Otago and Southland in particular—suffered in the supply ultimately available. The time lag and excessive handling caused greater deterioration and this doubtress meant that people in the south received less Island fruit and fruit of a poorer quality than North Island consumers obtained. A report by a special committee of the Canterbury Progress League was placed before the meeting by Mr Myers. This dealt with a short-term and a long-term remedy for the trouble. It stated that the main cause of inadequate and wasty shipments was the elimination of the direct Pacific Islands-Lyttelton refrigerated service by the Maui Pomare. and instead ihc importing of fruit to Auckland by the Matua and the consequent transhipment overland to southern points. The average transit time from Auckland to Lyttelton alone was about 10 to 12 days. This delay often caused fruit to be over-ripe, and, sometimes during periods of cold weather, led to chilling, which in turn caused faulty ripening and in some cases total loss.

Remedies Suggested

The committee suggested the return of the Maui Pomare to the service for which she was built —Samoa, fyiie. Lyttelton, and Wellington—especially during the summer. The long-term policy advocated was the addition of more refrigerated steamers for the Islands’ trade. If the Government acauired such a new vessel, the committee contended that its ltmeiary should be confined to the ports 01 Wellington. Lyttelton, and Dunedin. Full spport was given by the meeting to the Canterbury League s efforts. It was pointed out that the improvement of the supply of Islands fruit to the South Island was a matter which merited the full support of all South Island members of Parliament, irrespective of party affiliations. Evei?> effort should be made, it was stated, to ensure that the South Island ieceived its fair share of fruit of good qU It I was decided to write giving full support to the Canterbury Leagues efforts and to suggest that all South Island members of Parliament should be written to and asked for their assistance in bringing about an immediate improvement and safeguarding the South Island’s interests in the future.