PRICES OF FRUIT.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 96, 16 January 1908, Page 2

PRICES OF FRUIT.

CONSUMER OVER-TAXED;;: GROWER UNDER-PAID. ' CO-OPERATION AND CANNING. , (BT TZLEOBAPH—SPEOIAI.-• COBBJSEONDENT.)'.;. Auckland, January 15. In an article "devotod . to' tho showing, of' tho -whys and wherefores of' dear. fruit; in Aaoklaud, the..." Herald" thus aunis up, thepositionThe cost' of -" the' • distributionv of , fruit-'for the Auckland market is. enormous:; Firstly, there are the freight charges/ then'the ' cartago foes, the,'auotioii room; charges,'and lastly, tho retailers' prices; l V The price recoived by tho' giower is notjiing like the price the; consumer pays, 'and it is evident that before tho fruit supply can-: ever bo oh. ■ a" satisfactory footing there ; will: nbt only! have 1 to; be co-operation 'aiiibngst growers; but also the '.establishment ' of- canning and preserving factories in every; fruit district'. Canning \ factories in operation would warrant or; orchards, and the' grower would' then have an 7 outlet: for ■ surplus fruit in tho height .of the. season. i■-■ - "It ; has been the iflxpenence/ that where ! fruit growers are in co-operation; and 'have canning' factories;, to supply, the prices 7of v 'fresh fruit in the nearest-markets" have been most reasonable,. arid . a very.i large share of tho 'middle,', profits has 'been 'eliminated. ■Taken; altogether, the industry, in ;Aiibkland" gives promise of a splendid future,^"arid-it will jn time be worked on : 'sound ; commerciallines, giving good rettirns tt the grower and ' the best of fruit at'cheap prices to the consumer. Unfortunately, in .tne'meantime, tho Auckland public is paying the penalty- for the long delay there has'been in -the establishment; Of ,tho' iridusti'y'."