FREIGHT ON FRUIT CASES.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1436, 10 May 1912, Page 8

FREIGHT ON FRUIT CASES.

DEPUTATION" TO ME. MYERS. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.! Ghrislchurch, May 0. A large deputation, representing the Fruitgrowers' Association, was introduced to the Minister for l!»iiwavs (the HonA. 31. Mvers) tc-dav bv Mr.' Geo. With-, M.F. Mr. Witty -aid that at one time timber for fruit cases was carried iree on the railways, but owing to the selfishness of limber firms which sent tor timber 350 miles away in order to save a halfpenny a ease, the concession was withdrawn, and free carriage lor ICO miles was substituted. The deputation wanted to ask for the free carriage of timber from the nearest milling district. Failin.? that, they asked that half Iho white pine measurement, bo charged—not more than ljd. per ease. They were really paying 2M.por ease in the meantime. At present the "snooks" had to be put in bundles, and that was objected to. The deputation suggested that the concession should be made only to bona-fide growersThe Minister said that the fruit industry was an impurtant. one. and was capable of expansion for export purposes. The Railway Department w;ts anxious to give every facility for the carriage of goods, but it had to conduct its business on business lines, lie could not give the deputation an answer at once.' lie believed in putting everyone ou the seme, footing, but the matter would have tu be fully considered as affecting the whole of the country. He would make inquiries into the matter, and let the deputation know the result.