A VOLUNTARY SYSTEM

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 141, 15 June 1923, Page 10

A VOLUNTARY SYSTEM

FRUIT STANDARDISING

TRIAL IN WELLINGTON.

The Director of Horticulture, Mr. J. A. Campbell, explained to the conference of the Fruitgrowers' Association yesterday his scheme for standardisation of fruit for marketing: Details of the scheme have already been published. The proposed system was not, he said, a compulsory one. Under it, low grade fruit would not be directly eliminated from the market, but such fruit would be ousted indirectly. The system was a voluntary one. The standardising for the local market would include three grades, to ' be' indicated .by.'specified labels. The standardised fruit would be separated in the auction marts from the unstandardised fruit. Fruit packed and sent to auction by growers as standardised fruit would be inspected by Government graders. In reply to a question, Mr. Campbell said his scheme applied in the meantime solely to the Nelson grower, the Wellington auction market, and the retail buyer. The scheme could, of course, be extended to other places. By invitation, several members of the Fruitbrokers' Association addressed the conference. Mr. Press, of the Wellington Fruitbrokers' Association, assured the members of the federation that they had the support of the salesmen throughout New Zealand.. As to Mr. Campbell's scheme lor Wellington,' the auctioneers here cordially supported it, and would do all they could to help it through. The auctioneers believed that compulsory standardisation would come into force eventually, but in the meantime they approved of the voluntary system. Mr. Harvey Turner, of the Wellington •Fruitgrowers' Association, said he approved of compulsory standardisation. Voluntary standardisation was, in his opinion, only a step in the right direction. ,•'-•;. Mr. E. Radley, of the Auckland Fruitbrokers' Association, favoured compulsory standardisation. He emphasised the importance of the local market. Mr. J. Allan (Nelson) remarked that the majority of Nelson growers were in favour' of compulsory standardisation. There was a feeling, however, that the voluntary system might be tried in the meantime. Mr. Campbell expressed a firm opinion that even a compulsory system of standardisation would fail unless there was adequate inspection. Mr. J. Allan remarked that while the majority of growers at the meeting at Nelson favoured a trial being given to Mr. Campbell's scheme, he felt sure most of them also favoured a compulsory system. Mr, C. Craigie,'Government Fruit Inspector, Marlborough, addressed the conference in favour of a trial being given to Mr. Campbell's scheme,- at the same time keeping in view the ultimate adoption of a compulsory system.' The chairman, Mr. M. Robertson, moved:—"That this conference thoroughly approves of the scheme put forward by Mr. Campbell, Director of Agriculture, and volunteers to do all in its power to give the scheme'its support." The motion was seconded by Mr. J. Allan (Nelson), and was carried without dissent.