FRUIT MARKETING

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23716, 14 August 1942, Page 2

FRUIT MARKETING

ESTABLISHMENT OF BOARD SUGGESTED

(P.A.) WELLINGTON. August 13. Mr H. E. Stephens, chairman of the Fruit Advisory Committee, suggested to the fruitgrowers’ conference to-day that the fruit industry should set up a board similar to the Wheat Board. There must be scope for adjustment between the 5s 3d a case paid to growers and the market price of 15s. There wore too many brokers and too many shops handling fruit. He advocated the extension of the powers of the Internal Marketing Department and the opening of depots to supply fruit direct to retailers. Brokers should be compelled to organise so that fair' competition should prevail. He suggested as an alternative a produce board similar to the Wheat Board. Growers would have to have certain guarantees and Government assistcinc6 The conference approved the demand of the pear growers for 6d a case more than the price received for apples, and also agreed to a proposal for a separate pool for pears.