FRUITGROWERS' CONFERENCE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 81, 22 August 1912, Page 5

FRUITGROWERS' CONFERENCE

THE CARRIAGE OP FRUIT. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Wednesday. A deputation from the Fruitgrowers' Conference waited on the Mini.stcr for Railways to-day, and placed before him certain matters in relation to the fruit industry and the railways. The Minister, in reply, said it was his desire to meet fruitgrowers wherever possible. The trouble about the Main Trunk express was the weight of the train and shortage of locomotives. The Government was endeavoring to put two expresses on the Main Trunk line shortly, and he would enquire whether it wouid not be possible to put on a cool van. With regard to through booking, negotiations were going on with the Union Company. One of the difficulties was that the railways went by weight and the steamers by bulk. lie himself believed in through booking, both of goods and passengers, and the Government was considering both aspects. The whole question of freights would be gone into, but the trouble was that if they gave concessions on one hand, concessions would be wanted on the other. Mr. Sisson (Canterbury) moved that the Government be urged to pass a Bill that wherever a municipal market be erected, auctioneers selling fruit, fish or vegetables shall be compelled to sell in such a market. The mover said that if_ the municipality erected a market with the ratepayers' money they would only have a white elephant unless the auctioneers were compelled to sell there. All fruit mid produce should be sold in one market. Mr. Neil (Horowhenua) moved, as an amendment, that the following words be added tn the remit: "And such auctioneers should be prohibited from dealing in such commodities." The amendment was rejected aud the motion carried.