STANDARDISATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 136, 10 June 1926, Page 4

STANDARDISATION.

NEEDED IN FRUIT MARKETS. GROWERS APPROVE PRINCIPLE. The principle of local control for the standardisation of fruit supplies was approved of by Auckland fruitgrowers yesterday, and the delegates were asked to confer with delegates from other centres at the approaching Dominiou conference, with a view to arriving at the best method of eliminating ''rubbish" from the market. "All fruit of low grade should be eliminated from sale in the open markets," said Mr. T. C. Brazil, president of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers' Federation. "Standardisation is the starting point." Mr. Ballantine (Tβ Kauwhata): Yes, ■\% c would like to see a. minimum standard fixed by those who are in a position to make it. Mr. E. C. Walton, in an address, said that the worst feature of the present marketing arrangements was the lack of distinguishing marks. A buyer could have no assurance whether he was getting good or bad fruit, and he had to "flay safe." with a margin of about 20 per cent to protect himself. Tho only remedy was the standardisation of supplies, and that could not be done effectively by individuals. There must be a Dominion-wide, recognised standard. '"Some growers have formed themselves into groups, individuals have recently started shops of their own and some have been distributing throughout Xew Zealand."' remarked Mr. Walton. "That is not the way. We will never jtot anywhere if we are going to aot in that manner." At the same time, Mr. Brash explained that there was no desire to crush individuality. They wanted to sco It retained as much as possible. As the basis of its policy of standardisation the conference decided to support etrongly an amendment of the Act to allow of local control coming into force if carried by GO per cent of the votes polled.