MARKETING OF FRUIT

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 141, 11 December 1935, Page 21

MARKETING OF FRUIT

SINGLE BROKER SYSTEM

OPPOSITION TO POLICY

(Special to the "Evening. Post.")

NELSON, December 10,

In 1933 the New Zealand Fruit Ex-' port Control Board adopted the policy j of a single broker for the marketing of the whole of the Dominion export in England, and in the past two seasons that policy has been strongly opposed by a large section of growers who consider it to be not in the best interests of the industry. There has Ween a sharp diversion of opinion over the matter' and several weeks ago, a petition signed by 185 Nelson fruit growers was presented to the Control Board urging the return to the system of marketing in the United Kingdom similar to that which obtained up to 1932. In that year fifteen brokers were employed in selling New Zealand fruit outside of London, but since 1933 the board has employed one firm only. It is against that arrangement that the majority of fruit growers in the Nelson district have protested, and as a result the Executive Commission of Agriculture will hold an inquiry in Nelson commencing on Thursday morning. The case for the petitioners will be supported by numerous witnesses and members of the board will defend their policy. It is understood that the inquiry will last for several days. The growers of Hawke's Bay have petitioned the Fruit Board on similar lines and have received permission from the Commission of Agriculture to have their case heard in Nelson at the same sitting. Representative Hawke's Bay growers will arrive on Wednesday.