FRUIT FOR EXPORT

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 71, 17 December 1937, Page 13

FRUIT FOR EXPORT

State To Guarantee 11/- A Case APPLES AND PEARS Possibilities In Eastern Markets By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, December 16. A decision to pay by way of guarantee 11/- a case in New Zealand currency to apple and pear exporters has been made b’y the Government, according to an announcement by Mr. F. Firth, Auckland representative of the New Zealand Fruit Export Control Board.

He said the scheme would apply to fruit exported from the Dominion in the coming season, and it was estimated that the quantity would be close on 1,250,000 cases. “Arrangements are being made by the board to export to the United Kingdom, Canada, Rio de Janiero, Santos, Jamiaca and such continental countries as it is possible to supply,” Mr. Firth stated. Eastern Markets. “After my recent visit to the East I might also say that the way has been paved to make shipments to Java, Singapore, Hong-Kong and other Eastern centres. There is no doubt of a payable market in the East and the quantity of fruit that can be dispatched is limited only by the amount of refrigerated shipping space that is available.” Effect of Guarantee.

Air. Firth said it was commonly supposed that the fruit-grower was making a good thing out of the guarantee, but, in point of fact, it did not cover the costs of production under the present labour conditions. It merely ensured that the producer would not suffer any serious loss, and he might be able to get some small return over and above the guarantee. The scheme was by no means a new proposition, and had been in operation for at least ten years, proving particularly valuable in the development of new markets. <■

Discussing the question of the grant of £40,000 made by the Government to assist .growers in meeting increased award'wages, Mr. Firth explained that methods of distribution had not been finally decided. The proposals, however, had by no means been lost sight of, and help was going to be given growers who had actually paid higher rates of wages.