FRUITGROWERS’ TROUBLES

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22245, 9 November 1937, Page 7

FRUITGROWERS’ TROUBLES

TO IHE EDITOR OF THE PRESS. Sir,—Reports in Hansard suggest that the Government members would have one think that everyone was prosperous. but some thousands of fruitgrowers would be very pleased to see some of that prosperity. What prosperity there is, is lopsided. While one part of the people are certainly handling more money, others are certainly not. For general prosperity, one must go back to the Reform Party’s Government. During that party s time fruit was at least higher in price, and better still, one could sell double the quantity one can now. although it is at least 40 per cent, cheaper. One has only to look at the market prices in the financial pages of “The Press.” The price for the very best Delicious apples is 11s a case. Years ago. in the Reform Government’s time at this time of the year the price was 18s a case, and Sturmer apples were sold at about 14s a case instead of the 8s a case in “The Press" yesterday. The outlook for the orchardist is very bad. What with the frost, droughts, and storms from end to end of the Dominion, all their reserves of capital are used up. I am sure large numbers of orchardists regret ever planting a tree. However. times may change in another year or two if money is better divided than at the present time. —Yours, etc..

GEORGE LEE, Templeton, November 8, 1937.