THE PORT OF LONDON.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1983, 13 February 1914, Page 10

THE PORT OF LONDON.

MR. ESTttL INTERVIEWED. TRUE GATE TO BEST MARKET. Soni-e interesting facts relating to the Port of London and the great market of which it, is the-' gateway, were supplied hy Jlr. J\H. Estiil, Commercial Superintendent, of the Port'of Lond-oiuv Anthfcrity, during the course- of an interview with a Dominion reporter last evening. Mr. Estiil arrived from the north yesterday afternoon. • "A great deal of adverse criticism has been circulated- in the Dominion," he said, "in'regard-to the unloading of New Zealand produce in London,'and it is. the object'of my , 'visit to put , the"! true position before the shippers and producers, it has been stated that we put your me-at ' into leaking barges, that we bruise carcasses' and break shanks, that we- keep weol littered about on the quay without any .cover except a tarpaulin, that our wool storage is inadequate, and that we put your dairy produce, in dirty- barges, and let them drift up- the river at the mercy of the tide. It has been said that Smithncld, London, which is admittedly the best market in the world,' tan :be served through the port of Bristol more leheapiy than through London. A more' ridiculous statement was never made. The cost of sending meat direct.from the. ship-to Sftiit-hfiefd Market, via Bristol, is 7d. per ton.,- company's risk (owner's risk Is. per ton lees). Even then the traffic has.to.be-sont in threeton.:'lots. . For lots of less , than three tons the rate f rofn Bristol to London is' 345. 'Ssf. per tori. On the -"other hand, the β-utsido cost of putting meat on to ■the.Snijthfield Market, direct from the ship at tlie Xoiidoti Boeks.is 14s. fd. ; per ton. This. ■ includes-' port , -' rate, wharfage, cartage,.'market tolls, and pitching; (iiantliiiig 'frohi; the'.'dray- to the stall in the market); " .• " "Yoor Market WIN Always be London.", ' "The'biiyers of meat as welt an most, other.'goocjs-thafe.' you" produce." Mi.' Estiil went oil'to. remark,', "are' in London. • London requires the "best, , and- as you produce,tho best mutton and lamb." your, y O nr produce at least-T-will always-be London; , '. Speaking" broadly, it is largely second-grade. me : at that'goes to'the of. England ports." ' .'.-;. ■-:■:, . '■', . ■ Tho programme of the new Port of London Authority, Mr. Estiil stated, provides, for ail expendiliire of, £14,600-,-000 to. bring the port ahead. Contracts ' for £5,G : 00,0p0 have already been let, and Australasia'is la'rgßy '■ benefiting' under these, seh-eni.es, ' Mr, Estiil; will furnish st detailed.explanation of ' th'o projected im-prpvaniehts. when he' addresses th.e Chamli*r : f>f> Conisle'rco. during his stay ivT-he new facilities lvhich arp prov.ide.d will, of course, be available for other go.bds. than frozen miitto-a," he added.' '.'Dairy-, prodace and'other goods are'also being catered for." - A\'hi!e oil liis present- mission, Mr. Estiil has iourneyed all rovmi Australia. .In New before coining to AYellingtoiT, he visited ' Hamilton, Wa'iiganui, Hastmas, Napier, Palmers'ion North, aild Gisborite. At each stopping-place ' he' Ijas 'met the chambers of commerce ai-id- tjl» farmers, associations. In Australia he, met most, of tJse and Premiers, and a number of State officials, as well as the. associations of .inerchants and producers. ■ , Why Not; Send Fruit? This country, 3Jr.- Bstill declares, has impressed , him.', . He 'considers that it has great possibilities, and is a suitable, field for'; imniigrgtion. Apart 'frorn the ho, eoilsidoro that 'Nciv "Zealand can easily develop a big export trade in other pro* ducts, 'connection he.made, special, -mention -of- fruit,'' "Wβ want fruit in London," ho said, "andw« are always ready- to pay. for the host the world can produce. We g<>t thousands of. cases of fruit from Tasmania and Australia, and I see no reason why New Zealand .should, net share. t-Itat market. Besides,"• ill fa country Hkp this, with sucli.-a beaut-ifiil 'clituato aivd a gootl rainfall, lie pfeaty of other -comnwdttiQs w.hich y«ru could ■produ.ee, and' no dniibt.'will in time.' "I , wish'.we could "• pet Soine of your b-caiitifnl- poacJw.s oil .'thfe,English mar* ket," saicl,Mr. Kstill. recurring to the sulijpot of friiit,' "Of course,'-there'is a difficulty in nackittg and sending ,suclt a dclwa.te fruit over the. long' journey from Iwrc to London', but greater dvfficHlties..by far than this hare be>?-n ovjrc:ow,p., Poaches command a olg price hi London, as they qre usually very scarce. . Qlood peaphps at sixpence each in' London would be considered cheap." ■ .'' ._ i ' ■ Mr. E-stUl resMtoins in Wellington, for about t-welve days. Later ho will visit the South Island... He is to re- [ J turn to England, via Canada. -. !