WINDFALL APPLES

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23880, 24 February 1943, Page 2

WINDFALL APPLES

Sale to Government

CHANGE OF POLICY y ANNOUNCED About 5000 cases of windfall apples were left to rot on the ground in Christchurch last year, as their sale was prohibited by the Internal Marketing Division. According to information received by the secretary of the Canterbury Progress League (Mr P R Climie) from the Minister of MarketHon. J. G. Barclay), that state ot affairs will not exist this season Mr Cliftiie yesterday expressed his gratification at the change of policy indicated by a letter from the Minister, m v hich it was stated:—“ Conditions have greatly changed since last year, because the Government has agreed to extend its purchase to include fruit actual y lower than commercial grade, and which by the Department of Agriculture regulations is specified as minimum grade.”

This grade, said the Minister, had been regraded, not only by his department. but also by the fruitgrowers, as being the lowest standard of fruit that should be supplied to the public. The arrangement made by the growers this season was that fruit under that heading would be incorporated with the commercial grade, and. in the Minister’s opinion, this will give growers ample opportunity to dispose of their lower-grade fruit to the Internal Marketing Division. “In the case of windfalls, sound and wholesome fruit will to a large extent be disposed of under this arrangement." said Mr Barclay, “provided that the fruit is free of dirt, serious bruising. or broken skin. If the fruit is really too immature for dessert purposes it might be made possible, under exceptional circumstances, such as gale or hail conditions, to have it accepted as cookers.’’