FRUIT FROM DOMINIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 December 1922, Page 2

FRUIT FROM DOMINIONS.

QUESTION OF FREIGHT. BEDUCTION URGED. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, Dec. 13. A deputation of the National Federation of Wholesale Fruit Trades, consisting of a number of leading importers of Australasian apples, interviewed the Australasian Refrigerated Tonnage Committee, consisting of representatives of the Peninsular and Orient, Aberdeen, Commonwealth, and Dominion and Commonwealth Government lines. The denutation urged the acceptance of freight payments on this side instead of m Australia, owing to the exceptional difficulty in arranging credits. The committee replied that the freight money was.required in Australia to pay the costs there. TBie deputation strongly urged a reduction in the freight below 5s per case, and the matter was freely discussed. The deputation pointed out that the refrigerated freight on apples from the north-east K’oast of Amorita worked out at 4s per case, the voyage occupying the same as the Australasian. It was also pointed out that while the arrivals of American apples were not yet large, the prices were much lower than usual, realising freight and the amount advanced, therefor, and appearances indicated that the Australians in 1923 will realise even less than in 1922, especially as the Americans are sure to overlap throughout April and part of May. The committee replied that it had met several times to consider the matter, realising that the interests of the growers and the shipowners were identical. but while Australian costs, port and light dues, wages, etc., remain at the war level, it is impossible to make a further reduction, but if Australian costs are reduced the committee is quite prepared to lower freights. So far the only thing showing any reduction from the rates during wartime w coal. The Australian Press Association understands that a writ is being issued

against the Federal Steam Navigation and Commonwealth and Dominion lines, at the instance of the underwriters, for damage to fruit carried by the steamers Northumberland and Port Nicholson. The claims amount to many thousands of pounds.