Uncertainty of Air Freight

To Plant Or Not

To Plant

On Norfolk Is.

Uncertainty of Air Freight

To Nz

ANOTHER planting season is al most upon us in Norfolk Island, and so far, the position, as re gards air-freight for produce con signed to the New Zealand market, is still most unsatisfactory.

Unless some guarantee is forth coming from the NZ National Air ways Corporation that they are pre pared to accept consignments up to a specified total weight weekly, or at least fortnightly, growers here will not risk a repetition of the experiences suffered last year.

On several occasions then, grow ers found that no freight-space was available just at the critical mo ment when their perishable produce was at maturity. Consequently it was eitner dumped or ploughed in.

Earlier in 1953, growers had been led to believe that the planes would be prepared to carry up to 3000 lbs of produce each week, and in view of this, a number of growers planted especially for the New Zea land market.

It is hoped that before it is too late for this season’s planting, the Administration here will endeavour to get some definite understanding from the NAC as to whether or not it is prepared to freight Norfolk Island pro d u c e. —Special Corre spondent.