ISLAND FRUIT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2896, 15 September 1909, Page 10

ISLAND FRUIT.

REQUESI FOR LOWER RAILWAY FREIGHTS. WELLINGTON, Sf-pt ember 7. The subject of railwaj* freight charges on Island fruit — oranges, pineapples, and bananas— was brought under the notice of Uie Minjr-ter of Railways (the Hon. J A. Milling to day by a deputation from

the New Zealand Fruitbrokers' Association, which is at present holding a conference at Wellington. The deputation was introduced by Mr A. E. Glover, M.P., for Auckland Central, and urged that a reduction in the freigh* charge on Island fruit wouM mean a largely increased consumption by the people and a considerable increase in the volume of freight sent over the' railway lines. At present, it was pointed out, the charges made fruit so dear in small places that it was absolutely prohibitive. The point made was that the fruit which could not be produced in the Dominion — oranges, bananas, - and pineapples — should receive special consideration, -^ as it reached New Zealand alL\the year round, and did not enter into Competition with the locally grown article. - .- The Minister was distinctly outspoken in his reply. It was not, he said, a new question b<y any means. In looking 1 through the files he found that negotia- ■ tions had been going on since 1902, and th© requests of the brokers had" been at all times refused. There was 'undoubtedly some force in the contention that the Cook Islands were now" an integral portion, of New Zealand and ought to be regarded! accordingly, but it was impossible to grant this request. The other islands grew exactly the same class ,of fruit, and it would be impossible to distinguish between them. "Wo have to deal with the thing as a whole or not at all," " remarked the Minister. " The policy of the Government has been for years to charge a lower rate of . freight on locally produced or grown articles, than on imported goods or articles, the idea being to encourage the development of the country." Personally, he had no desire to see the freight on. fruit brought down te an, average of £1 a ton. (the rate on New Zealand grown fruit). It was a loss to the department. He would not for *& moment entertain the request to reduce ''.he rate, of freight, because in his opinion instead of having , a reduction in freight they would find the Railway Department was going to be run 1 on commercial lines and would not handle ' goods which did not show a profit, and it was not profitable to carry fruit at £1 a ton as at present. He intended to review the whole subject of freights at a later date, but in the meantime he might say that he had worked this subject out and had found that the granting of the request of the deputation would be of infinitesimal benefit. For 100 miles the difference between the freight on the locally grown fruit and the foreign grown would be l-16d per lb, and for 300 miles it would l-10d per lb. He thought tiioy would agree with him that even supposing that concession was granted it would not increase the consumption. The reduction of freight might . possibly oe divided between the importers and the retailers, but it certainly would not benefit the consumers. "In the 'meantime, " added the Minister, "I nave told the public that I intend to try to run the railways for 12 months without making any alteration in fares or freights in order to see whether, by -exercising certain economies which we are endeavouring to effect, the railways can be made to" show a little better return than they have done in the past. On the experience of those 12 months I intend to show the public what the result has been, and in all pro. bability I shall then review the whole of the rates, especially for long distances." When that was done the subject brought forward by the deputation would, be considered. He desired to go into .the. question pretty fully, and when they ddd meke a change to make it in connection with the lines showing the biggest loss. His only desire was to conserve the business of the .railways, and as far as possible to endeavour to make them pay their own way, instead of asking th.> public to pay for -them. In five or six months he would be dealing with the whole matter, and the arguments of the deputation would then be considered.