FRUIT FOR SALE

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 21, 26 January 1931, Page 11

FRUIT FOR SALE

REGULARLY INSPECTED

QUALITY OF LOCAL PRODUCT

Complaining of the methods adopted by Oriental fruit dealers, a correspondent states that the best fruit is displayed on the customer's side of the counter, while the fruit actually sold is of much lower quality.

"This arrangement of the fruit," he proceeds, "naturally leads one to. expect a doubtful deal, and one must ask why this state of affairs is tolerated. Wo have council ■. inspectors for other matters less important than our fruit supply, and I am sure the general public would be much. indebted if you would publish a summary of the regulations governing the local fruit trade, making- clear the answers to tho following questions:—-(1) Is there an official who inspects fruit offered for sale .in shops? (2) Is there any official to whom one can complain when rotten and inedible fruit is.sold? (3) Why are the local fruit market prices not published more frequently and prominently? It is difficult in some shops to obtain really first-grade New Zealandgrown fruit without having to watch, the shopkeeper closely." Inquiries of the city officials show that, as far as the inspection of fruit offered for sale in Wellington is concorned, the regulations are very thorough. Three inspectors are continually engaged inspecting all premises or stalls where foodstuffs are stored, prepared, or sold. , The inspections are regular, and whore any conditions are , found -vhich are considered unsatisfactory, the necessary aetion'is taken to have the matter put right by the city health officers. Tho grade of fruit sold is not controlled by tho City Council, and so long as tho fruit is in sound condition, no action can be taken on these grounds.

In tho case of street stalls, the typo of stall must be approved by the council before the prospective vendor is allowed to bid for it. Clause 2 of section 52 of the city bylaws states:—"Where any food is sold or offered for sale or conveyed in any vehicle, it shall be sufficient compliance with the provision of the clause if such vehicle is fitted with a fixed frame of approved material on not less than three sides, and provided with a waterproof top, so as to exclude rain."

The city .health office points out that fruit of which ccfmplaint is made can be brought either to its officers, or taken to the Government Health Office.

Fruit prices are not controlled by the City Council.

The difficulty of obtaining first-grade New Zealand fruit is a common one, largely because most of the first-grade fruit 'is exported. This- question is, moreover, closely allied with that of price, as "first-grade fruit cannot/be purchased • except at top prices, and those who patronise the Oriental fruitsellers are as a rule economically minded.