THE FRUIT MARKET.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 142, 17 June 1926, Page 4

THE FRUIT MARKET.

IMPROVING LOCAL SUPPLIES. IMPORTED CASES. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) NAPIER, Wednesday. Speaking at tbe annual conference of Hawke's Bay fruitgrowers in Hastings this morning, Mr. T. C. Brash, president or the >"ew Zealand Federation, said there was among growers and consumers an increasing conviction that the industry should endeavour to supply a better grade of fruit to the local .markets. The consumer was asking why fruit bought in his own coun try was so poor when that sent to England was making such a name for itself. That complaint was made against the dairying industry 25 years ago. but the consumer had protested, and the butter now supplied to the local markets was equal in quality to the best exported. The same remark applied to the sale of meat. Mr. Brash said something must be done to standardise the quality or rruit sold locally. The Fruit Control Act made local boards at present Impossible, but he hoped an amendment would be made this session. About 500,000 Canadian fruit cases were imported Into the Dominion last year, and this year importations will reach approximately the same figure. This means that about £20.000 is lost to the Xew Zealand timber trade. The use of the Canadian case is nkelv to increase, and it is advocated by the Fruitgrowers" Federation because or Its great superiority over tbe local article. Though the New Zealand case is inferior it costs more. These rants were mentioned at the conference.

Mr. E. H. Williams said they were In the industry to make it pay, ana ir they could produce the best fruit In,the world they should tret a better price on the London market. He urged that the question or refrigerating machinery on ships and the handling or fruit should be investigated, with a view to placing the produce on the London market In the best condition. The marketing- or the rruit in Britain was most important, because they were not getting rair treatment. They read that while their fruit was not reaching payable prices buyers were selling and making rrom 80 to 100 per cent profit. Mr. Williams said the matter should be brought to the notice or the Premier, who could bring it berore the imperial Conference.