PRODUCECHARGES DISPUTE

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25732, 18 February 1949, Page 8

PRODUCECHARGES DISPUTE

Government Calls Conference EFFORT TO REACH SETTLEMENT From Our Own Reporter WELLINGTON. February 17. In an effort to settle the dispute over container charges for produce,, the Government decided this evening to invite representatives of the retail fruiterers, the Fruitgrowers’ Federation, fruit and produce merchants, auctioneers; and the Commercial Gardeners’ Federation to a meeting to be held under a chairman appointed by the Government. If a settlement cannot be reached by negotiation, the Government has suggested that the dispute be submitted to arbitration. ‘ The following statement was issued to-night by the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr A. H. Nordmeyer): “The Government has in the last day or so received many telegrams urging it to take action to cope with the hold-up in the distribution of fruit and vegetables caused by the boycotting of produce markets by retailers.

“It should be understood that since the lines of produce affected by the boycott are, with few .exceptions, not subject to price control, the subject of the dispute is properly a matter for settlement by the parties concerned. Nevertheless, the Government could not be indifferent to a situation which deprived the public of adequate supplies of essential foodstuffs. “The Government hopes that the parties to the dispute will come together in an attempt to negotiate a settlement, or alternatively with a view to submitting the dispute to arbitration. “In a desire to promote a settlement, the Government is inviting the New Zealand Federation of Retail Fruiterers and Greengrocers, the New Zealand Fruitgrowers’ Federation, the New Zealand Fruit and Produce Merchants’ and Auctioneers’ Federation, and the Commercial Gardeners’ Federation to send representatives to a meeting to be held under a chairman appointed by the Government.”