NEW SEASON’S FRUIT

Evening Star, Issue 20613, 13 October 1930, Page 7

NEW SEASON’S FRUIT

PROSPECTS ARE EXCELLENT THE STANDARDISATION OF GRADES “ The prospects for tho coming season aro excellent,” said Mr J. H. Waigth, jun., on of the largest fruitgrowers in the Teviot district when approached on the subject by a ‘ Star ' representative at Roxburgh. He said that the apricots were particularly good, and if all went well the growers would leave no room for complaint. The weather generally had been fairly good, and last week they had had 120 points of very mild rain. It was customary at this time of tho year, said Mr VVaigth, to receive a regular winter bluster. As a result there was no snow on the tops of tho mountains as in former years. In view of the heavy crop it was imperative to growers to indulge in a very heavy thinning. This would produce a much better grade and assist 111 bringing in a fair price. It was very gratifying to hear that tho growers had decided , to introduce a compulsory standardisation of grades. Mr Waigth stated that a very enthusiastic meeting was held at Alexandra a few weeks ago, when the delegates from- the various associations unanimously decided to ask the Minister to grant facilities for the taking of a poll under the Emit Control Act. If this poll was carried standardisation of grading and marketing would bo introduced into Otago for pip fruits only. Such a scheme would enable buyers to know the contents of a case without opening it. The benefits, as a result, are obvious. The suggestion would also bring about a uniformity of grades throughout Otago. ,At the present time, said Mr Waigth. each grower marked his fruit to his own fancy. At the same meeting it was also unanimously resolved that the Minister bo asked to amend the present Act to provide for the inclusion of stone fruit. If this was granted it would mean a uniform grading of all fruits throughout the province. A Control Board consisting of three members would be stationed in Dunedin for the administration of the Act, which it was hoped to. carry out at the minimum of , expense.