PRIMARY PRODUCE

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 15, 17 July 1937, Page 14

PRIMARY PRODUCE

MARKETING ACT

TO BE EXTENDED

(By Telegraph—Press Association)

CHRISTCHURCH, July 16,

Although direct State control of international marketing of fruit is not intended by the Government, according to the Acting Minister of Marketing (the Hon. W. L. Martin) the Primary Products Marketing Act is to be extended to bring fruit and vegetables within its scope. It is then intended to organise growers into groups centring on committees, which might ultimately become marketing authorities, and the sale and distribution of produce will be directed by the Government. The organisation of growers, it is hoped, will be voluntary.

This information was given today by Mr. Martin in an interview. As a result of the inquiry which was conducted last year by the Fiuit Marketing Committee and on the recommendations of that committee, the Government had decided to take steps to reorganise the marketing of fruit and vegetables in the Dominion, Mr. Martin said, and for this purpose the Government had approved of the drafting of necessary alterations to the Primary Products Marketing Act to bring horticultural commodities within the scope of that statute.

"It is not intended, however, that the Government will assume control of the produce marketed," he continued, "but rather will it direct the sale and distribution of produce through various markets. Under the amended legislation ,power will be given to delegate certain authority to appropriate organisations should this be considered desirable. Before giving effect to any scheme of reorganisation, whether local or Dominionwide, it has been arranged that such a scheme will be submitted to Cabinet for its approval beforehand. The work of reorganisation has been placed in the hands of the Director of Internal Marketing, Mr. F. R. Picot, with instructions that any reorganisation should be made as far as possible on a voluntary basis in the meantime.

"It may be said that all attempts at voluntary organisation are bound to fail,". Mr. Martin said. "In the past I admit that this has been the case, but, with the Government taking an interest in it and using a guiding hand, a lot of useful work can be done in this way."

As a preliminary to organisation of producers in various fruit-growing areas into marketing groups it would be of considerable assistance if the growers organised themselves, it was stated, into provincial or district committees: ' These would serve as a mouthpiece for the industry, and also as liaison between growers and the Department.

"At a later date it maj' be desirable to divide' these committees into subcommittees to deal with different kinds of fruit, and they may form the nucleus of marketing authorities," Mr. Martin concluded. "These committees could also discuss questions of standardisation, cool storage facilities, transport, and marketing arrangements generally, and would serve as a useful guide to the director. To organise the growers on these lines the Department of Internal Marketing will be working in closest co-operation with the Department of Agriculture, and officers of both Departments will, from time td time, visit various districts and take an active part in organising producers, and they will also explain the Government's policy."