SALE TO GROCERS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22618, 22 April 1948, Page 4

SALE TO GROCERS

PROPOSAL REJECTED “BACK-YARD” LEMONS MARKETING METHODS A suggestion that back-yard growers of lemons should ‘be able to market their crops through the grocery trade and that commercial growers adhere to the normal channels and controls was discussed by members of the Gisborne Citrus Society at its annual meeting this week and the delegate to the conference of the New Zealand Citrus Council in Gisborne next month was instructed to oppose any such suggestion. Mr. C. E. Grey, Gisborne delegate when citrus industry representatives recently met the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. E. L. Cullen, in Tauranga, reported that the Minister had asked for an expression of opinion from the industry on the point. The Minister said he was inclined to favour the proposal, Mr. Grey said it was claimed that the public in a growing district would be able to get the fruit cheaper and more would be made available for southern districts- * Members in general doubted if the lower prices would be passed on to the public for very long. Retailers seemed to prefer to handle small quantities of perishable goods at a high return rather than large quantities on a smaller margin. Throughout the country it was known that cabbages and other produce of jhe kind was bought in at low prices in periods of plenty and seldom were marked down below ceiling in the shops. The president, Mr. H. Carmichael, opposed the suggestion. The small growers were increasing, he said, that being borne out by the fact that long waiting lists were held by nurseries supplying young trees. Mr. C. E. Grey said the Minister and his department were seriously considering the matter, but wished to have the opinion of the industry. Gisborne decided to oppose any such move strongly.