AUCTIONEER'S VIEW

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 145, 16 December 1927, Page 8

AUCTIONEER'S VIEW

COMMISSION AGENTS ONLY

. Se?n yesterday by an "Evening Post" representative,.one of the leading fruitbrokers ;of Wellington remarked:— ■■••..- • •

I have not had an opportunity of reading the circular Mr. W. A. Tate^evidently broadcasted amongst the cherry growers of the Dominion, only your owa article, but it is evident to me that Mr Tate himself touched upon the real cause pf the disparity in values by admitting- that the Australian grown cherry is much better than his'own or nearby grown cherry. When one considers that the New South Wales has a disadvantage of at least a six days' journey as a handicap and can then on Mr. Tate's own statement, which is generally conceded—beat the New Zealand fruit in respect to condition, quality, and price, it must be obvious- that the discriminating-"public • are'prepared to pay for quality,; a.ud jio: tariff:.jrill nn*ortnnately improve tie;' New' 'Zealand quality. : ■ " • '■- ...v.-r-s ••

"Mr. Tate, like so many individuals who have a weak case, stoops to misrepresentation, as by inference he suggests that the auctioneers, in Auckland and Wellington give preference to the importations ana that ■ thousands of cases are coming into both cities weekly. Firsty the' auctioneers are' commis-sion-agents, and the fruit'that is com•uig, forward- is handled on consignment just the same as Mr.. Tate's: arid other growers' fruit is handled by- the auctioneers and no preference given. As to the thousands of cases coming forward, Mr. Tate has evidently stretched his imagination, for, as far as Wellington is concerned, shipments to this port for some years past show a gradual falling-off, and the three shipments so far received this season have consited of 166, 704, and 944 cases respe'cticely. ■ ■-■ ■"■■■ ■"■'■•-• ■•"• .

"Mr. Tate will not be a gainer, by, endeavouring to build a ease on misstatements "and reviling the auctioneers, who have done more for the fruit industry than is realised'or admitted."