FRUIT MARKETING

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 December 1935, Page 5

FRUIT MARKETING

A NELSON INQUIRY. [pep. press association.] NELSON, December 12. The Executive Commission of Agri-' culture to-day, commenced to hear the petition of a number of Nelson and'Hawke’s Bay fruitgrowers, for investigation of the Control Board’s system of marketing in the United Kingdom. The Commission comprises Sir Francis Fraser, Mr D. Jones and Mr G. A. Duncan. The advocates for the petitioners are Messrs J. L. Brotvn ■and A. Forsyth, and those for the Control Botird are Messrs, H. E. Stephens (Chairman of the Board) and W. Benzies (Secretary). The keen interest taken in the enquiry was shown by a large attendance of growers from all parts of the district. The chairman explained that the sitting of the Commission was to hear a petition by a number of Nelson fruitgrowers, for the investigation of the Fruit Board system of marketing, and especially ,the system of marketing New Zealand fruit in the English provinces by a single broker agency. The Board was requested, he said, to return to the panel brokers. A similar petition had been received from Hawke’s Bay, and it would be heard at the same time. It was general, when a Board was set up by an industry, and was charged with the special duty of marketing, and when the producers elected all or a. considerable part of the Board, that the industry should accept its policy; but in some cases, a section of the producers- in such industry became opposed to the policy of the Board. It was then for the Executive Commission of Agriculture to hear evidence, and to give an impartial decision. The Board, he assured all the parties, would give a detached, impartial hearing and decision. The present case had been mentioned to the Minister of Agricul-

ture, Mr Lee Martin, who had expressed the hope that the enquiry would have the result of doing away

with any differences of opinion which now exist, and that the finding, would be accepted without demur. Both the Minister and the Commission’desired a full enquiry. It was obvious that this dispute was on differences of opinion, and the hope was expressed that the statement of opinions would be supported by facts. He realised that there would be opinions diametrically opposed and the Commission knew that a certain amount of personal feeling had arisen; but it was hopefl that each side would see the other’s point of view,..and that personal feelings would be dropped. As the result of full discussion, one. side or the other might see which • side is correct in the best interest of the industry. Ho invited such an expression, if that was possible.- It was a big and important industry. This year there was the promise of a large crop, so it was all the more necessary to have the best marketing policy possible in the interests of the industry. Evidence is being taken.