‘No Apology’ For Apple Board Prices;

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30823, 7 August 1965, Page 16

‘No Apology’ For Apple Board Prices;

(New Zealand Press Association f

WELLINGTON, August 6

The Apple and Pear Board had Io try to recover its costs, and, therefore, made no apology because wholesale prices this year were higher than the “disastrous low levels” of 1961, the chairman of the board (Mr K. B. Longmere) said today.

Wholesale prices this year; were an average of 5s a case! higher than in 1964, but only] Is 5d a case above 1963 [ prices, Mr Longmore said the retail price reflection of such 1 an increase over 1964 would be about 2d a lb, and it was, necessary these charges be i made if the fruit industry was expected to meet its costs. The trend towards cost increases arising from wage rises and transport costs had gone right through the structure of the apple and pear industry, he said.

•i “The industry, of course, is, : no different from any other irf ' this respect, but it does mean' I that the additional outlay has. [to be recovered from in? ■ creased prices if the board is i to remain on an even keel.” , II Mr Longmore said that last > | year local market prices wcrif !| depressed because of an over? ([supply on the market causedby weather. Most people •[were inclined to compare ond i year's prices with those of the--11 previous year, but the induw -[try could not continue to sur| -[vive on the price levels ac, Icepted in 1964.