HOME GROWN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 48, 26 February 1941, Page 6

HOME GROWN.

New Zealanders are heavy consumers of fruit, but they will have to i break records this year in apple and pear eating. Last year a very small proportion of these fruits grown for export left the country. This year none will get away, and as the crop is estimated to exceed 2,300,000 cases, quite apart from that grown in noncommercial orchards, the Marketing Department will have no easy task in avoiding wastage, and ensuring that every possible avenue of consumption is explored. This will apply especially to the varieties which do not keep well. Cool storage is in demand for meat and butter, and less than usual will he available for fruit. Under these circumstances many cases are likely to become wasty unless they can be promptly disposed of. Small purchases will help, but only by stimulating the sale of case lots will the Department be able to come through the season without heavy and needless loss. The fruitgrowers' is narrow enough, but he has jthe advantage of a guarantee, while the consumer will have fhe double satisfaction of eating a wholesome fruit, and at the same time performing a patriotic duty in minimising or wiping out any loss to the State in the redemption of the guarantee.