MARKETING OF VEGETABLES

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23493, 22 November 1941, Page 10

MARKETING OF VEGETABLES

TRIBUNAL’S SURVEY CONCLUDED EVIDENCE BY OFFICERS OF DEPARTMENT (P A ) WELLINGTON, Nov. 21. The Price Investigation Tribunal, which is inquiring into vegetable prices, to-day heard a survey on the marketing of vegetables given by Mr D K. Pritchard, instructor in vegetable culture, Department of Agriculture. In this several recommendations were made as to the means of assui' ing growers an adequate return and at the same time lowering prices to the consumer. ~ .. Mr Pritchard drew the attention oi the tribunal to the fact that in 1912 a Royal Commission had inquired into the cost of living, when exactly the same causes as had been mentioned in the present inquiry had been advanced. , , , ~,u The 'evidence presented by Mr Pritchard and Mr G. R. Holmes, a senior officer of the Fields Division (who dealt principally with the marketing of onions), concluded the hearing, which occupied six days. The chairman thanked the organisations that had been represented, for the csre taken in compiling their evidence. He said 5U to 60 written statements had- been received from various parts of New Zealand. These would be considered by the tribunal, which would send its report to the Minister for Supply. The chairman mentioned that the newspaper reports had been valuable from the public point of view and very useful to him as day-to-day summaries. “Inconvenient Markets" Any discussion on the marketing cfl vegetables, with a view to economy m sale and distribution, must be on a basis of location and convenience of the existing market structures and present marketing methods, said Mr Pritchard. He considered that the markets in Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin were .located in inconvenient positions. New sites for produce markets in these three centres were essential, following which improvements for unloading produce and the reloading of it by retailers could be considered. Mr Pritchard summarised the marketing of vegetables as including harvesting, grading, containers, packing, transportation, and selling (auction, retail, and co-operative). Transportation was a definite factor in the cost of vegetables to the consumer, said Mr Pritchard, and also had an effect on supplies. Referring to methods for increasing vegetable production, Mr Pritchard suggested that cropping on dairy farms might be adopted with advantage to the farmer and consumer. Education Advocated Mr Pritchard also urged the placing of trained and experienced returned soldiers on areas suitable for mixed farming and the inauguration of an extensive scheme of education in home gardening foe vegetable production. Dealing with distribution, Mr Pritchard said that if the receiving and delivery charges were abolished, the rate of commission reduced, and transportation methods overhauled without impairing the efficiency of the service given, the saving in costs to the grower would be considerable; but there was no guarantee that prices to the consumer would be reduced. To effect a lowering of the prices of vegetables to the consumer, Mr Pritchard said, it seemed that the present number of auctioneering firms must be reduced,and that those permitted to remain in business must organise the disposal of vegetable produce on a co-operative basis.