FRUIT MARKETING

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 April 1937, Page 2

FRUIT MARKETING

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS.

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

WELLINGTON, April 28

The Fruit Marketing Committee, in its report, recommends first, the formal assumption of control of marketing of all our horticultural commodities by the Primary Products Marketing Department, and the extension, or amplification, of the Primary Products Marketing legislation where necessary, to effect this end. Secondly: The appointment by the Primary Products Marketing Department of an officer to be designated Director of Fruit Marketing. Thirdly: The setting up of a consultative committeee, comprising" representatives of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers’ Federation, New Zealand Fruit Export. Control Board, New Zealand Fruit and Produce Brokers’ Federation, and the Wellington Fruit and Vegetable Retailers’ Association. Fourthly: The establishment of district marketing authorities to direct, and control the marketing of any particular commodity, where and when, and to the extent deemed desirable by the Marketing Department. The Committee, in recommending State control, finds the horticultural industries as a whole are in a chaotic state, the producers generally by reason of the disorganised condition of affairs, finding it increasingly difficult to carry on, in consequence of the low riet returns ruling. Disorganisation has resulted in a feeling of suspicion and distract among those engaged in the industry. The growers are receiving too low prices for their produce, and finding it increasingly difficult to carry on. The balancesheets of the wholesale and retail distributors do not suggest that, excessive profits are being made by them. The public is paying too high a price for fruit.