PIP-FRUIT PRICES

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 November 1943, Page 3

PIP-FRUIT PRICES

FEDERATION’S CHALLENGE

WELLINGTON, November 22.

In a statement, to-day, the New Zealand Fruitgrowers’ Federation challenges the Minister of Finance to publish the .findings of the special committee of the Stabilisation Commission which recently investigated the production costs in the fruit industry. The Federation alleges that the Minister has evaded the real issue and treated the growers unfairly. When the war began the industry was faced with the fact that its share of shipping space had to be given up because of the war emergency, states the Federation. It was evident that this would overload the local market, and in a state of panic, after months ol negotiating, the industry accepted for one year a price which was lOd a case below the average cost of production. This has never been adjusted. The treatment meted out to grower.s had resulted in decreasing production, alongside the everincreasing demand for fruit. To-day. there was a famine in the apple and pear market, and every case can be sold at prices which are only limited by the Government itself, still leaving an unsatisfied demand. The request of the proaucers for an increase of sevenpence half-penny a case is less than one-fifth of a penny per pound. The industry was prepared to abide by the findings ol the Special committee of the Stabilisation Commission. The growers waited for three months for the findings ol the committee, believing that at least the basic price would be adjusted equitably. At the meeting of .Ministers last Thursday it was clear that of tne four Ministers present not one had even read the Committee’s report.