APPLE AND PEAR PRICES

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23819, 12 December 1942, Page 6

APPLE AND PEAR PRICES

NEGOTIATIONS FOR INCREASE “ UNSATISFACTORY ”

(P.A.) NELSON, December 11. “No progress has been made in negotiations to secure a higher price for the 1943 apple and pear crop," said Mr L. B. Robinson, chairman of the Nelson Fruit Advisory Committee, on arrival in Nelson from Wellington today, after meetings with the Minister of Marketing (the Hon. J. G. Barclay) in Wellington. He pointed out that representatives of the industry were asking for an increase over last year’s average price of 5s 3d a case, to enable growers to meet the increased production costs. “No progress has been made and the results of the negotiations have been entirely unsatisfactory,” he added.

FRUITGROWERS’ PROPOSAL

The secretary of the Canterbury Fruitgrowers’ Association (Mr E. J. Freeman) has issued the following report of a meeting held by the association; "The position of case timber supplies was felt to be bad at present, but likely to improve. Mr B. Turner reported that the New Zealand Fruitgrowers’ Federation. Ltd,, directorate had decided to insist upon the Government purchase price for apples and nears during 1943 being the cost of production as shown by the Picot Commission of 1937, plus the added costs which had accrued since, or otherwise a free market. This had been countered by an offer from the Government to give last year’s price, plus the expected increase in cost on the 1943 crop. This offer had been rejected as being too little to maintain the existing areas in pip fruits. It was suggested the cost of production should go before the Price Tribunal. To this the directorate agreed, on condition the Government would adhere to the price awarded.”