HIGH APPLE PRICES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 229, 28 September 1942, Page 5

HIGH APPLE PRICES

EXPLANATION OF REASONS Commenting on a report from Dunedin that the price of apples has again been} raised, and that up to 17/6 a case being paid for Delicious, Mr. A. H. Honey- ■ fteld, Auckland manager of the Internal Marketing Division, stated to-day that large supplies of apples had been sold at between 3/6-4/6 a case in the Bush o£_ the season, which was below the purchase price given to the growers. The department had to offset the loss in the offseason. In addition, the cost of cool storage, freight and interest had to be added. Mr. Honeyfield said the prices now fixed by the Price Tribunal were at their maximum, but even with the restricted release of supplies, it would not be possible to provide apples beyond the first week in December.

"At present the Government is certainly making a big profit on apples, considering it paid the growers only 5/3 a case," commented a man closely in touch with the distributing business this morning. "The same applies to pears." Asked why such high prices were necessary when before the war the Dominion could export apples and also maintain reasonable prices to the public for local consumption, he replied that this year's crop had not been as successful as usual. Moreover, the demands of the forces in New Zealand and overseas made a big difference to the supply position.