GRADING AT PORT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 67, Issue 219, 28 June 1947, Page 7

GRADING AT PORT

NOT FAVOURED BY FARMERS’ UNION POINT NEARER PLACE OF PRODUCTION With the object of securing the grading of produce for export before it reaches the port of embarkation, the Agricultural Section of Federated Farmers yesterday decided to approach the Grain Merchants’ Association. The question was the subject of the following remit from the Methven branch: “That the Agricultural Section executive explore the possibility of agents for mercantile firms conferring at various times during the produce season with the port graders, in order to be in a position to advise farmers as to the likelihood of tHeir produce being accepted at port.” Speaking in support of the remit, Mr A. D. McLauchlan said that to-day with practically all produce exported, the producer did not know whether his produce was fit for export or not until it reached the port. If produce was turned down at that stage the producer was caused additional expense and inconvenience, he pointed out. Tlie object was to get some means of having produce graded before it got. to Lyttelton. While not exactly asking for the grading to be done on the farm, he thought that grain merchants might be given some authority to grade grain. “We desire to get the grading of export produce at some point nearer the point of growing,” he concluded. Mr Amos pointed out that for a time there had been a grader in Ashburton.