STATE TRADING.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 37, 13 February 1929, Page 10

STATE TRADING.

ANOTHER DEVELOPMENT. CONCESSION TO NURSERYMEN UNFAIR COMPETITION TO END. (By Telegraph.— Special to " Star.") WELLINGTON, this day.

The. Government has come to a decision in connection with another phase of State trading, which has been subject to criticism. The Nurserymen's Association has for some years been complaining that the State Forestry Department has sold trees to farmers at prices much below the cost at which private growers can produce them. They have urged that such competition, if permitted at all, should be on fair lines. Cabinet has now accepted a recommendation made by the Hon. W. B. Taverner, Commissioner of State Forests, which, it is understood will give satisfaction to the nurserymen's trade.

The Government realises that afforestation is so important an asset to the Dominion that every encouragement must be given to those who have opportunities of planting trees, which should bo made available at reasonable prices. Therefore, it is understood that the Forestry Department will continue to piovide supplies where wanted, and to pncotnage afforestation, but the undesirable features of its former trading n ethods will be changed. Tt is understood that, as the result of negotiations between Hie Department and the Nurserymen's Association, an agreement lias been effected on the question of a p'i<e list for trees wTiicli will be effective for the coming planting season. Tlipse prices will enable nurserymen to undertake business on more satisfactory lines than in past years, and remove their objection that State plantations are selling tires at, under cost of pro■ST.,' Ul " "*P<"-«c<l that after one »ente they willhe subject to revisiu.r