ISLAND FRUIT TRADE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 11370, 1 September 1908, Page 5

ISLAND FRUIT TRADE.

1 T - - .-.- ■ ■ . ' - (Per Press Association.) DUNEDIN,; this day. A deputation from the Fruit 'Brokers*' Association waited on the general manager of the Union Steam Ship Company yesterday in connection with /the: Island fruit ; trade. Tlie deputation suggested that 'a faster and , better service from Rarotonga to Wellington be established. It was stated that under the present service considerable delay was caused owing to the transhipment of fruit at Auckland. In some cases, the Island 'steamer, missed connecting' with the =boat at Auckland, with the result that fruit- for the South is delayed four or five days. The depuT tatieh asked for a direct service from Rarotonga to -: Wellington, the. second steamer leaving tlie : .'lslands ten days, after tlie boat for Auckland. " "" Mr Holdsworth said the company could not meet the wishes of the trade. It had I ' already improved the. service to , a great extent. Everyeffort would .be made to ensure the boat for the Sotith 'being caught dt Auckland. Ii the '- Government ■''.'could..? be induced to subsidise a direct service to Wellington, tlie matter would be worth the company's 'conjnderatiori. \The deputation also referred to the pilfering of fruit in transit, and suggested that; {the. company should' compensate consignees for losses sustained in this way, and make strong efforts to stop pillage. Mr Holdsworth, said the company would do all .possible to stop pillaging. The .bulkof the fruit was f carried on deck~ od the shippers' risk, and the company could not recognise responsibility.