Quandary on apple sales

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34129, 15 April 1976, Page 1

Quandary on apple sales

The Apple and Pear Board may be in a quandary as to what to do about the defiance of a Christchurch retailer, who is selling apples he. bought directly from a grower. The board’s inspector called on Mr Tom McClintock on Tuesday to discuss his action of buying Red Delicious and Golden Delicious apples from a grower, and selling them in his shop at Upper Riccarton. Mr McClintock said yesterday that he had had amicable discussions with the inspector, who had had the opportunity of seeing hundreds of cases of other apples Mr McClintock had bought through the board.

Mr McClintock told the inspector that he had been unable to move the apples — Cox’s Orange and Kidds Orange — because housewives could obtain the more popular Delicious apples from the growers’ gates. As is its usual practice,

the board will refer Mr McClintock’s breach of the regulations to its head office for consideration and possible prosecution. Mr McClintock said he would appeal if convicted of a breach and did not intend to let the matter rest until the situation was ironed out to his satisfacion. Meanwhile, some growers have indicated that they favour a departure from the

controlled sale of apples in Christchurch because they see no need for controls.

They believe that the Apple and Fear Board would do much good for the industry if it concentrated on exports and Jet the home side take care of itself through the auction system.