THE APPLE SEASON.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 141, 16 June 1928, Page 17

THE APPLE SEASON.

NEW ZEALAND FRUIT. HEAVY ARRIVALS IK LONDON ACTIVE PROPAGANDA. iFrom Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, May 3. Arrivals of apples from Australia and New Zealand during the week ended Wednesday, April 25, totalled 235,000 boxes, during the past seven day» they have reached 325,000 boxes, and during the seven davs ending next Wednesday a further 230.000 boxes are expected. Thus arrivals during these three weeks ■re averaging over 21J0.000 boxes weekly, which is a good deal more than double the arrivals in the corresponding P">od last year, which averaged only 100,000 boxes weekly. On the other band, the United States season was practically over by tlie middle of April this seasen, whereas last vear the weekly import? from the United States were considerably heavier than the combined imports from Australia and New Zealand right up to the first week in May. Thus, in spite of the much heavier arrivals from Australia and New Zealand this season, the total supplies now arriving from all sources are not much greater than at the corresponding time last year. May imports are on tlie average about 15 per cent below those of April, and are accounted for mainly by Australian and New Zealand supplies, although last year imports from Canada and the U.S.A. formed nearly 40 per cent of total apple imports in May. But with imports from Australia and New Zealand this season much heavier an last, there is every prospect of May imports exceeding both those of April, and the May average of the past three years. In 1926 imports reached nearly 450,000 cwts, all but 10,000 cwts, coining from Australia and New Zealand, and this figure might easily be this year. Already about 1,200,000 boxes (equivalent to 400,000 cwts) of apples are announced as due to ® rl 7y® during Mav and there will be probably further arrivals, of which notification has not yet been received. The last thr«e boats in from New Zealand, the Mataroa, Matatua and Mahana, brought 93,979 boxes of apples, ®f which all but 15,089 boxes were for

London. The latter were landed at Southampton from the Mataroa as were 10,479 boxes of pears. These boats came in within a few days of each other. The shipment by the Mataroa has been disappointing, more so than any this season so far. The apples were fair only in condition, the Cox's being rather forward, while the pears were wasting. The Matatua consignment was in pretty fair condition, generally, but slight waste was found in the Cox's. The Mahana, which has just arrived, cannot yet be reported on, but a first examination showed their general appearance to be good. Miscellaneous. Prices are very much the same a* they were last week, but there are indications that the market is improving. There is certainly a better demand. What is troubling the market as far as New Zealand is concerned is the price at which Australian apples are being offered, more particularly Tasmanian. Australian apples have arrived in poor condition, so that some Cox's Orange pippins have fetched only ">/ a case. There are, of course, some Australian of good quality which fetch as good a price as New Zealand, South Australian C'.eopatras in particular fetching 12/6 a case. But the effect of the quantities of poor apples has l>een to pull down the prices even of good Australian apples, and the reaction on New Zealand produce has been similar. The New Zealand Fruit Board is actively engaged in propaganda work. The education of young assistants in produce stores has been spoken of elsewhere (see High Commissioner's activities), but there is another movement which is actively stimulating the New Zealand fruit trade. The New Zealand Board has constantly at work two vans supplied with fruit and literal are. They are touring various districts, visiting shops selling fruit retail. With two men in charge thoroughly up in their job they are not only getting orders for fruit, but are teaching the retailer how he can more profitably display and sell that produce. The scheme, we understand, had its origin in New Zealand, where it was suggested to Mr." Stephens. He in turn passed it on to Colonel Grey. Although the New Zealand apple season here was then under way a beginning was made, but this season the two propaganda vans have been going hard since the first shipment arrived. They will, before their mission for the season is over, cover a large part of the country. Heavily populated areas such as South Wales, Lancashire, and Yorkshire, for example, have already been covered, as

well as a large range -if London and Greater London. The reports made to the headquarters of the Board in London are most helpful aids in widening the market, in getting to know vhere mistaken methods are doing harm, and what is cheerful hearing, where New Zealand apples are carrying off the prizes. Quite a number of very live and large establishments. not only in London, but in Northern England, have wot a reputation for their apples, and those New Zealand, two shops in particular, one in Chelsea and the other in High Barnet, are winners of Imperial Maiketing Board trophies, New Zealand fruit being the main feature of the winning displays. Reports from the vans of what is actually happening in the market help the trade to put up a fight by argument at once logical and telling. For example, a number of cases report, '"New Zealand apples 0.K., but the Aussies get it because of the price." That, of course, is an argument that can be fairly met by tlie New Zealand trader, who points out that his produce may be dearer, but it is good and less wasteful and, therefore, actually cheaper in the end. The shops that sell pood stuff will have no complaints about their supplies, and demand will be stimulated instead of damped down. One Yorkshire fruit merchant. an acknowledged judge of fruit, who has been in the trade for many years, went so far as to say what it is perhaps not to his good that the Nkw Zealand producer should hear. He said, "New Zealand has nothing to learn in either growing or packing."

An important move is being made to get over the difficult season when apples fall very much out of demand—that is when soft fruit here is in season. Supplies will be held in cold storage here so as to be prepared for any move on the market. If there is a good summer here with plenty of soft fruit avaJlable. the apples will be kept. If any sudden fluctuations occur the supplies beinsr here on the spot can be drawn on at once as circumstances dictate.