GROWERS TO SELL THEIR PRODUCE IN THE STREETS

Grey River Argus, 17 February 1949, Page 3

GROWERS TO SELL THEIR PRODUCE IN THE STREETS

P.A. WELLINGTON, Feb. 16. Street sales of fruit and vegetables are planned by the _ growers in retaliation for the Wellington ajid Hutt Valley retailers’ refusal to buy their produce. The retailers to-day announced their ban on the marts as a protest at the charge of 6d for containers. They say that J.heir stocks of fresh vegetables will suffice their consumers’ needs till the week-end. The retailers will continue to supply hospitals, hotels and boarding and eating houses, ■ but from what source their supplies would come was not made clear to-night. Pickets are to be appointed by the Wellington Retail Fruiterers’ and Greengrocers’ Association to patrol the streets to ensure that the ban is maintained by the retailers. According to the secretary, Mr S. Chesney, to-night, the pickets will also approach the members of the public buying directly from the markets, requesting them not to do sc. They will not interfere with any selling arrangements set. up by th;> growers. Mr Chesney said that the fruiterers and greengrocers had the support of many general grocers dealing in those lines. It was expected that many grocers would fall in line by not buying from the marts. When the present, stocks were sold, no supplies would be brought from outside districts for the retailers. Mr Chesney said that, so far as Wellington provincial toVvns are concerned, the subsidiary district fruiterers’ association are expected to ac* independently .

No oflicial advice of likely action in such centres as Palemrston North, Wanganui, Masterton, Napier anu Hastings had been received in Wellington to-night. Soon after the ban was announced this afternoon the growers approached Wellington City Council officials, seeking permission fop vendors’ licences to sell their produce to the public. It is possible that, as with the parallel dispute between the growers and retailers in May, 1946, the produce will be sold on the streets from trucks. The council’s decision is awaited.