ISLAND FRUIT TRADE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3959, 28 January 1930, Page 7

ISLAND FRUIT TRADE.

MAUI POMARE’S ITINERARY. PIITfEST AGAINST LATEST ARRANGEMENTS. A mil ting of the Maui Pomare Committee c the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce was held on Thursday morning to discuss the present unsatisfactory position in regard to the island fruit trade. Mr A. 11. Allen presided. Two motions were put before the meeting and carried, one entering a strong protest against any interference with the itinerary of the Maui Pomare, and the other providing for steps to be taken to place the South Island viewpoint before the Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) and the Administrator of Samoa (Mr S. S. Allen). The chairman said that while it was satisfactory to know that Dunedin was still to be included as a port of call in the itinerary of the vessel, they could not but view with alarm the arrangements that had been entered into by the Government with the Auckland merchants. They were undoubtedly prejudicial to South Island interests. When the Maui Pomare was coming direct to this port bananas were landed at 18s 6d per case, but the cost now was 25s per case. The fact that the vessel was primarily destined for Dunedin, was ordered to Lyttelton, and finally discharged at Wellington surely suggested that some undue influence had been brought to bear, and there was little doubt where it came from. He would, therefore, move as follows: — That this meeting ol representatives from the Dunedin Chamber of Coinnierce. Dunedin Manufacturers’ Association, Otago Importers and Shippers’ Association, South Island Fruit Brokers’ Association, Otago Expansion League, and Dunedin Fruit Retailers, expresses to Cabinet its appreciation and thanks for its decision that Dunedin is to be retained as a port of call in the itinerary of m.v. Maui Pomare. It much regrets, however, to iearn that a contract entered into by the Cook Islands’ Department for the supply per trip of 4500 cases of Samoan bananas to the South Island Fruit and Produce Brokers’ Association has been cancelled and a further contract let to an Auckland firm, in spite of a vigorous protest from the South Island Fruit and Produce Brokers’ Association that the contract entered into with it should be given a fair trial. If Government de partments can so abrogate their contracts what inducements will there be to contract with them? Under the new contract, in spite of Cabinet’s decision, it appears piobable that Dunedin will be omitted as a port of call, and we need only instance the present trip when the vessel destined lor Dunedin was diverted without suliiment cause to Wellington. We emphatically protest against ativ possibility of the present itinerary of the vessel being interfered with, and call upon Cabinet to insist upon its decision being adhered to. We desire to emphasise the fact that a spasmodic service will seriously jeopardise any chance of southern traders or exporters developing a steady export trade. Mr James Hogg seconded the motion, and said that if the facts as stated were correct, and there appeared to be no doubt on that point, they could not speak too strongly against the Government s action. The position was a dangerous one for Dunedin, and they could not afford to accept it. Mr W. Gow emphasised the importance of building up an export trade by means of back loading, without which traders could not develop their business. The South Island was entitled to this opportunity of expanding its export activities. Other speakers who endorsed what the chairman and the seconder said were Messrs E. 0. Reilly (South Island Fruit Brokers’ Association). G. J. Emington (Otago Expansion League), 11. A. Newall Fruit (Retailers’ Association), A. C. Cameron (Chamber of Commerce), and A. W. Jeavons (Importers’ and Shippers’ Association). The motion was carried unanimously. Mr James Hogg also moved that the Administrator of Samoa be written to and acquainted with the position with a view to enlisting his support, and also that a deputaton wait upon the Minister of Railways, Mr W. B. Taverner, in his capacity as local representative on the Cabinet, and that an opportunity be taken to place the position before the Prime Minister. This resolution was also carried unanimously.