FRUIT 'INSPECTION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 74, 28 March 1930, Page 5

FRUIT 'INSPECTION.

ALLEGATIONS OF UNFAIRNESS

AN ANSWER TO WELLINGTON DEPUTATION TO MINISTER. "Why Wellington should complain about the system of inspection of fruit and vegetables in Auckland, I fail to understand," said a prominent fruit and vegetable merchant to a "Star" representative this morning. "There have been more-prosecutions in Wellington in regard to,unfair.packing than : there have been in Auckland, and Court files will prove that. I can say, without fear of contradiction, that the whole of the packing in Auckland is reasonably fair, and is conducted under reasonable conditions." Deputation to Minister. ;. On Monday afternoon a deputation from the Auckland Retail Fruiterers' Association will wait on the Hon..J.' ; B. Donald, Minister of Industries and Commerce, and will' request that the proposed Departmental inquiry throughout New Zealand into the marketing of fruit and vegetables shall be replaced by an open inquiry by representatives of those concerned. In this connection a petition for ■an open inquiry has been made to the I Minister by Wellington retailers. Christchurch retailers, it is stated, are also in favour of. that course being adopted. It is recognised that the order of reference was wide enough for a Departmental inquiry, but not for a closer investigation into all the circumstances. The Auckland Retail Fruiterers' Association intend to ask the Minister on Monday to reconsider his decision.

It will be contended, by the: association that an open inquiry should - be conducted by representatives of the growers, the merchants and the retailers. It should be presided over by some outside official, preferably ' a magistrate. .