ISLAND FRUIT TRADE

Evening Star, Issue 22351, 29 May 1936, Page 14

ISLAND FRUIT TRADE

HANDLING AT OTHER END BLAMED RAPID DETERIORATION [Per Uxited Press Association-.] WELLINGTON, May 28. Evidence was hoard by the Industries and Commerce Committee of tho House of Representatives to-day regarding the Island fruit trade. ALIY. J. Jordan presided. Air A. G. Osborne, representing the Auckland fruit retailers, said the retailors would have more confidence in prices fixed by the Government than by those now doing it. Ho gave figures, dates, and shipments to prove that every auctioneer had instructions as to tho minimum price for the day. The unsatisfactory condition of Island fruit on arrival was, he said, one of the root difficulties, and he contrasted the condition of Island oranges with oranges of the same variety from Jamaica, coming three times as far and being landed in perfect condition. If the Island fruit were grown and marketed in ns good condition, lie said,'it could supply all New Zealand’s requirements.

Evidence was also given by Mr H. A. Newall, of Dunedin, stud Mr Charles Capes, of Christchurch. Mr R. Menzies, of Wellington, declared that the .time was coining when the retailers would refuse to handle Cook Island fruit at all unless it was repacked in New Zealand and graded for sale. Ho gave instances where as much as ono-third of the fruit was thrown away on the first picking over, and the deterioration of even pickedover fruit was so rapid that fruit placed ou the shelves in the morning had to be thrown out a.t night. Mr J, Stanton, representing the Auckland Fruit Importers’ Federation, said there was no trust or monopoly and no high profits were made. There should, he said, be a more rigid inspection of fruit before shipment. The number of packing sheds should be reduced and each shed should be under the charge of a competent citrus inspector. No fruit control board or any other system could improve the position until better methods of growing and inspecting were initiated. Mr Harvey Turner, managing director of Turners ( and Growers Ltd., Auckland, said the allegations that a “ ring ” or combine controlled the fruit business in the Cook Islands and the distribution in New Zealand were untrue and absurd. Control by the Government or any other body would not increase the amount of money received by the Natives and would not improve the quality of the fruit landing in the Dominion. What was needed was:—

(1) Rigid inspection at Rarotonga and complete elimination from shipments of inferior grade fruit. (2) A reduction in tlio number of packing sheds to not moro than three, each to bo under the complete control of an efficient European inspector. (;i) Definite instructions to growers as to how fruit should bo picked and handled before arriving at the packing shod, and the complete rejection of any fruit showing evidnee of rough handling before arriving at tho packing sheds. (4) The appointment of a citrus expert as an adviser. Mr W. T. Goodwin, Director of Agriculture at Rarotonga, recommended the appointment of additional inspectors and tho erection of a cool store on tho island. Mr J. B. Grove, managing director of W. H. Grove and Sons Ltd.. Auckland. said that, although his firm handled its own fruit in Now Zealand, it was unable to average 5 per cent, net profit, and some years made substantial losses. Considering tho risky nature of the business, it felt that the return gave very little encouragement. He was not aware of any restrictions operating in the trade which prevented Native growers the freedom of the New Zealand market. Mr A. J. Rope, president of the Auckland bruit Importers’ Association, said the tact that a considerable percentage of Rarotongan oranges had to bo rejected was due to lanlts in the system at .the Island end. The committee adjourned until tomorrow morning.