FRUIT MARKETING

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 264, 4 August 1937, Page 11

FRUIT MARKETING

Need for Reduction in Expenses

GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE

The opinion that the introduction by the Government of compulsory standardisation of fruit was the first step toward rehabilitating the industry in New Zealand was expressed by Mr. 11. E. Stephens, chairman of the New Zealand Fruit Export Control Board, in his address to the” annual conference of that body at Wellington yesterday. “The rehabilitation of the locaj market is a dire necessity, not only because of the collapse of overseas markets, but because the present unsettled world conditions indicate that war is not altogether a remote possibility. Should it unfortunately occur, it is almost certain that there would be no shipping space available for export fruit, which would mean that the whole of the crop would have to be disposed of to the best advantage within New Zealand, and, under the unsatisfactory conditions which prevail at present, this would be complete disaster to the fruit industry,” Mr. Stephens said. “Orderly marketing, therefore, from the grower’s point of view and also from a national point of view, is a matter of great urgency. It was with pleasure that fruit-growers learnt of the decision of the Government to investigate these matters, but since the report of the investigation last January, very little seems to have been done and at present the industry has no clear programme ahead of it.” The commission of inquiry had indicated that the crux of the problem was the need for reducing expenses between producer and consumer, continued Mr. Stephens. It was doubtful whether the trade could do this, unless it was assisted toward complete organisation by some authoritative and sympathetic organisation, such as the present Government. With the help of the, Government, the trade could no doubt work out its own salvation, to the benefit of the country as a whole, and it was hoped that a definite constructive programme would be prepared. In the meantime it was only reasonable to suggest that growers should be granted a guarantee, which would recompense them for the economic and efficient production of fruit.