EXPORT OF FRUIT.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3052, 6 February 1892, Page 3

EXPORT OF FRUIT.

(BY TEI.KGBAPH.— OWN CORKESrONDKNT.) AUCKLAXP, Last Night. A MKEIiNG of person* interested in the matter of exporting fruit to England was held this afternoon at, the Chamber of Commerce. The meeting was convened by Mr Walker, of the firm Messrs Jacob?, produce brokers, London. There was a large attendance. Mr Walker stated that his object in coming hfire was to introduce his firm. He had visited the Auckland district and thought it ought in the future to take a prominent part in the matter of exporting fruit. He explained that shipments from Tasmania had proved successful, one shipper received O'd (?) per case after paying expenses. He saw two difficult point?, one was the irregular despatch of steamers and the other tho codlin moth. One remedy W'Hild apply for both, that was combination amongst the growers. In Tasmania, every infected apple has to be taken off the trees by a certain date, they had also to bandage every tree. A general discussion ensued but no definite conclusion was arrived at.

We are in receipt of the following letter from Messrs W. N. White, and Co., upon the subject of fruit export and in view of the expansion of this industry it contains much valuable information :—" No doubt you will have received a visit from our Mr T. H. White, representing this company and soliciting consignments of your fruit to be fonvaried here next season. From the report that appeared in your pa-pers last year you will have noticed the prices we made, and the best sorts to send. So fur as our experience goes the best apples appear to come from the Auckland district from whence we had in the early part of last season very tine Wellinetons, Canada Remettes, Lord Lennox, Cleopatras, Cox's Orange Pippins, and King's Tomkyns. Those arrived here the first week in April and realised tine prices, the gross average 19s 4d per case, which was the best sale of the season, because shortly afterwards we had very large supplies from Tasmania, and Australia and also a large quantity from Christchurch some of which came as ordinary cargo, and some came on a vessel where the refrigerating machinery had broken down. In addition to this many were very small fruit, not suitable for the English markets, when large quantities are coming forward. What we want here, are your best apples to be shipped to arrive here as early in April as possible. Each apple to be carefully wrapped in paper, and tightly packed ia the case, the case to hold one bushel of apple*, nnt less than 451bs of fruit. We are sorry to say that last year some of the cases only averaged 321bs to 351bs of fvuit. At a fair price this market can take any quantity of fruit you care to send, providing the quality is right. The same freight has to be paid on a case of common fruit as on a case of the best. One would realise a good price, sufficient to leave a good profit, where the other might make a loss. Hence the necessity of sending nothing but choice goods. We have taken up the question of freight with the Steamship Companies this end, and have offered to pay the freight here on all goods consigned to us; but, owing to the action of their New Zealand houses, they say they have no control over the payment of freights on goods from New Zealand. We have, therefore, lodged a bankers' guarantee at Auckland and Christchurch to pay the freight, not exceeding 4s per case, on all bills of lading brought to them for goods shipped to us in the coo! chambers. On no account must the fruit be shipped as ordinary cargo ; the risk is too great. Therefore we do not guarantee the freight except the goods are shipped in the cool chamber. We have informed the Steamship Companies this end, who have written their agents your side that the freight can be paid as above, under our bankers' guarantee. We were asked last year by one or two friends your side as to whether we co'ild not receive the goods direct, instead of their coming through agents; and we informed them then, as we do now, that you require no agents—that for doing the work our commission is 5 per cent, and the charges (id per case, which charges include all dock charges, landing, and cartage to this market, toll and portage ; and a draft in settlement is sent reculnrly with the account sales. Some of you may, no doubt, be canvassed by the agents of houses who do not sell fruit or anything else, but who simply receive the bills of lading from the grower and hand them over to the broker to sell, and for these "extraordinary" services a further commission is generally charged, which tho sender can very well dispense with. With proper management we believe there is a great future in the fruit

trade from New Zealand to this country. We are prepared to do our utmost to secure goud results for all goods sent to us, and we will try to establish ,i large trade (it it. Being the largest receivers of this kind of produce in London, we have exceptional facilities at our disposal for receiving, selecting, and selling such goods, and can always command the highest price of anybody in London. Trusting we shall hear from you, per return mail, and hoping to realise good prices during tho coming season,—Wβ are, etc., W. N. White and Co,, Limited. Covent Garden Market, London. December 18th, 1891.