FRUIT INDUSTRY

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 153, 30 June 1936, Page 6

FRUIT INDUSTRY

POWERS' REQUEST

GUARANTEED PRICES ffitf.Telegraph—Press Association.) - CHRISTCHURCH, June 29. "A month ago I thought the fruit industry would not touch this guaranteed prices Khene, but with costs of production going up and . with lower receipt, from our export trade I think we must now run for any shelter w6 can," said Mr. T.. C. Brash, president of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers' Federation; ajt the Canterbury provincial conference of fruitgrowers today. ' Government, he said, would not bitteduce a: guaranteed prices scneme unless there was a demand from the industry for it. It was for the growers to decide whether they wahted it. Under the scheme .the Government would take over the marketing of the fruit in its entirety. .Statements made by the Minister were to the. effect that the Government woiild adjust farmers' liabilities In accordance with" guaranteed prices. He agreed that, control of the local market prices: vtould be. difficult, as an over-supply of fruit unlit for export would produce a glut and depress prices, but if guaranteed prices' were ' obtained for export'fruit there must be some measure oflocal market control. The .Government,"he thought, wag bound to-shy clear of guaranteeing prices on the local market. , . The following motion was carried:— "That the Government be asked to investigate the fruit industry with a view to guaranteeing the producer and those who are essential to the industry a just and equitable rettirn for their labour in accordance with the value; of their services to the community, and this conference is of opinion that guaranteeing of export prices is Essential and should tie'the first step taken to place tiie industry on a satisfactory footing."