PRICE TRIBUNAL'S REPLY

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 22, 27 January 1944, Page 7

PRICE TRIBUNAL'S REPLY

On this letter being referred to the Price Tribunal, it was stated that in fixing an even, wholesale price at all points throughout the Dominion, due regard was given to all aspects, including average yield, percentage oi punnet pack, and alternative outlets available, such as jam factories. Nevertheless]; when the Greytown growers made their representations on Friday, January 7, the Tribunal undertook to send technical officers to Greytown immediately to conduct a close investigation. This investigation was pursued on January 10 and 11 (a weekend intervening). \lt was found that the growers' costings were open to challenge, and that an increase in the price was not warranted. '• Nor, indeed, was it practicable to put an increased price for North Island grown raspberries into effect in the Wellington and district markets because of the lower prices associated with South Island grown raspberries. On the other hand, the investigation showed that the growers were experiencing a measure of disadvantage because of the effect of the prolonged drought on crop yield. Simultaneous investigations elsewhere showed that the volume of supplies of raspberries reaching the Auckland and TaranakL markets were below normal and that this was due to the fact,that growers in the southern part of the North Island were selling their produce in nearer markets where, because of the buoyant demand from the public, "ceiling, prices were being realised. To facilitate raspberries being sent to Auckland and Taranaki and at the same time to provide the growers with a measure of relief against drought conditions, the Tribunal increased the Auckland and Taranaki provincial prices for North Island grown raspberries from Is lsd to Is 3d a lb, wholesale, for packings in other than punnets. Greytown growers thus sending to the markets named would realise l£d more. Of this approximately -Jd would be absorbed in freight, leaving the growers to benefit by the additional Id. An amendment to the Price Order was gazetted on January 20, and. the secretary of the Growers' Association was simultaneously advised by telegram of the details of the price change.