Pear dispute for court

Press, 23 June 1984, Page 23

Pear dispute for court

The Apple and Pear Marketing Board is seeking to end argument against its marketing of the Asian pear.

The board’s chairman, Mr K. W. Kiddle, said yesterday it had sought a ruling from the High Court that the fruit was within the meaning of the Apple and Pear Marketing Act 1971, and hence should be the responsibility of the board. The board had become concerned at doubt over the marketing of the Asian pear, Mr Kiddle said, in a statement.

Under its 1948 act, the

board was required to market all apples and pears grown in New Zealand and the Asian pear as a pipfruit, was covered by this law, he said.

“The board exists solely to market pipfruit both in the local and export market. Its expertise in quality control, distribution and marketing has been built up over many years and equip it well to handle new varieties ' of apples and pears for the benefit of the gorwers.” Some people were questioning the board’s responsibility for the marketing of

the Asian pear, and the court application had been sought after legal advice, Mr Kiddle said. “It distresses the board that this situation has arisen, particularly when co-operation and goodwill from all sectors have been the basis for the success of the horticultural industry as a major export earner for New Zealand.”

Mr Kiddle hoped the court would resolve the argument and “restore the harmonious relationship the board has enjoyed in the past with all the horiticultural industry.”