PIP FRUIT AT FIXED PRICE

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22600, 4 January 1939, Page 10

PIP FRUIT AT FIXED PRICE

Circular Sent To

Growers

OPPOSITION EXPRESSED AT LOBURN

"Are you in favour of asking the Government to take over the pip fruit of the Dominion at a fixed price to cover costs of production plus a fair return to the grower, the price to be fixed by the Government after consultation with an approved body of representatives of the industry? Answer yes or no.” This question, read by orchardists to a reporter of “The Press” yesterday, has been sent in circulars to all registered tree fruitgrowers in the Dominion within the last few weeks, replies having been requested by December 31, 1938. The question, which was issued by the New Zealand Fruitgrowers’ Federation, Wellington, is construed by a number of Canterbury orchardists to mean; “Do you favour Government control of the industry and the introduction of a guaranteed price system?” The circular and its import have led to conflicting opinions. Inquiries by a reporter yesterday show that one or two Loburn orchardists allege that, as about half the registered growers in the Dominion are not connected with any of the industry’s bodies or associations, the term “approved body of representatives” is without meaning. Some orchardists also fear that if they were being kept “in the dark and that if they had replied ‘yes they would have been entirely m the Government’s hands, and if they had replied “no” they would have aroused antagonism. Accordingly, quite a number have not voted at all. . Opposition to the introduction of Government control, which was what he took the question in the circular to be asking about, was expressed by Mr J. W. Macleod, a prominent Loburn orchardist and a member of the Canterbury Fruitgrowers’ Association. He • added that he thought he could speak for most Loburn orchardists. and some from other parts of Canterbury. The trouble was, said..Mr Macleod, that the Government was not offering a production price, and the introduction of a guaranteed price system on lines indicated by present circumstances would probably meet with opposition from growers in his area. The growers there estimated that it cost 6s 10d- to produce a bushel case of apples, whereas the Government would allow about 5s 2d this year. The system might suit quantity growers; but in districts like Loburn, where there were not heavy crops for a tree. it would not be suitable, as no aliowance was made for quality only.