LOSS OF MARKET GARDEN LAND

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27445, 3 September 1954, Page 3

LOSS OF MARKET GARDEN LAND

CONCERN EXPRESSED BY BURWOOD GROWERS

Concern about the erection of houses on valuable market-gardening -land in the Burwood district has been expressed by several growers in the district. The growers say that, the high ruling prices for their land constitute an inducement to sell them. Mr L. O. Goodman, a prominent market gardener with more than four acres of land at Burwood, said yesterday that tiie Christchurch Fruit and Produce Merchants’ Association had recently sold or destroyed thousands of crates, specially made at a cost of 4s 6d each for packing cauliflowers, cabbages, and celery. Without the use of these crates, he said, growers were forced to use sacks, and the produce reached the retailers in a damaged condition. This caused a reduction in vegetable prices. Mr Goodman said the grower also found; that experienced labour is unprocurable. Wages were prohibitive. There was also no protection for the grower in the case of illness or accident. Because of these factors a market gardener had no incentive to remain. on his land. The amalgamation of the Burwood district with-Christchurch city has resulted in a readjustment of land values. There are now only three or four market gardeners working areas bigger than four acres in the district