“LONDON'S OLD RUT.”

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 11, 11 January 1913, Page 6

“LONDON'S OLD RUT.”

c —- THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE. MR. LYSXAR’S TRIP HOME. (By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Press Association.) (Received 11.5 a.m.) Sydney, January Tl. Mr. W. I). Lysnar, of Gisborne, lias arrived, after a visit to England on behalf of the New Zealand Producers’ Association, to report on the handling of New Zealand frozen produce. Mr. Lysnar stated that the Loudon Dock authorities acknowledged in 1910 that their system of distributing produce from the-ships’ side at the Port of London was unsatisfactory, and that they had promised reforms, which the New Zealand Committee understood would be made within eighteen months. The reforms arc still as far off as ever. The New Zealand Committee in 1910 specially requested that the South-west India Docks should be specially equipped for New Zealand trade. The Port of London authorities are agreeable, but through the London importers bringing their pressure to bear, tho authorities have decided to make the suggested improvements at Albert and Victoria Dock instead of at the South-west India Dock. The Albert Dock is ten miles lower down the Thames, necessitating New Zealand produce travelling the extra distance, and being subjected to extra handling. The scheme, 'will not relieve New Zealand’s main complaint, namely, the wretched barging system, which is stifling their trade by first mining the products and then increasing the cost to tho consumer. “Wo intend to walk right away from London,” said Mr, Lysnar, “and leave it quietly alone. It is impossible at this distance to force the London authorities out of tho old rut, and we propose to form a new association of producers at the London end, which will receive and market our produce, thus ensuring the profits going to tho producer and eliminating the grasping middleman as far as possible.”