CONSUMER AND COST

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 129, 27 November 1940, Page 6

CONSUMER AND COST

The cost of fresh fruit and vegetables relative to the quality has been a constant source of complaint to the consumer for many months past. Many letters have appeared in "The Post" on the subject, indicating a widespread dissatisfaction among the public. In some cases it is the producer who has a cause of grievance, as when recently a Hutt Valley market gardener, unable to dispose of his leeks at a payable price, invited the public to help themselves. At this time leeks were selling in the shops at Id or l|d each. All other vegetables have been correspondingly dear. Apples have been far from cheap, while pears have long been almost prohibitive in price. Why, then should apples be dumped as refuse or sold for pig feed, which is the latest development? On behalf of the Internal Marketing Department, which is apparently responsible, the Minister (Mr. Nash) lias issued a statement explaining the circumstances. It was obvious, of course, that restriction of export would result in a glut on the local market and a loss by wastage in stores, unless steps were taken to increase local consumption. This could only be done by selling good apples cheap, and a campaign with this object earlier in the season met with; promising success. Why was this campaign not continued and every avenue exploited for the disposal of the apples for the benefit of the consuming public, hard hit in these days on every hand? The Internal Marketing Department was established and is maintained at considerable expense, presumably to benefit the consumer as well as the producer. The consumer would like very much to know where he comes in the deal.