Fruit Assembly Sheds At Nelson Remain Full

Wanganui Chronicle, 22 April 1950, Page 5

Fruit Assembly Sheds At Nelson Remain Full

NELSON, Last Night (PA).—Although, under special measures for the relief of the fruit hold up, coastal vessels have moved 104,000 cases this week and 5000 cases dispatched overJand, Nelson district fruit assembly sheds remain full. A largely attended meeting of Motueka growers blamed the Apple and Pear Board for: “Apparent mismanagement in not making adequate arrangements for shipment of export fruit, this causing considerable financial loss to the growers and resulting in a large proportion of the Nelson crop reaching the public in stale condition.” The board was recommended to sell by auction accumulated stocks of “soft” fruit until they are reduced, thus permitting the sale of fresh fruit to consumers. The question of why channels cannot be cleared by direct export loading at Nelson has not yet been satisfactorily answered in the opinion of growers. This week overseas liners, the Rangitane, Port Chalmers, and Persic have all been taking on Nelson fruit in Wellington and several vessels suitable to work at Nelson have been on the New Zealand coast. Growers feel some assistance could be given by the overseas shipowners allotment committee. ,