FRUIT MARKETING

Hawera Star, Volume L, 7 August 1930, Page 9

FRUIT MARKETING

INQUIRY OPENS. ;Y Telegraph —Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Aug. 7. The inquiry by the Industries and Commerce Committee of the House of Representatives into the marketing oi fruit and vegetables opened to-day m Wellington, evidence being taken. Air Campbell (Director of Horticulture) consiefered that if the methods of distribution were improved and fruit sold at a reasonable price, people could consume all the fruit grown in the Dominion. He thought that if the number of shops were reduced, less fruit would lie consumed. He had a lot of sympathy with the retailer in the prices lie chargeu. because lie had to face losses not common to other retailers. He mentioned that another obstacle to the retailor was the fact ot a certain amount of dishonest packing. The volume placed on the market daily made it impossible for a comprehensive inspection to he made, and one of the improvements suggested bv retailers was compulsory standardisation, -Hint scheme was carried out in parts ot Canada and the United States, and it was essential that something should be done to prevent- inferior being covered by a better class of product at the market.

Air Campbell said that in some centres in England the growers had an association and depended on the stigma of disqualification from the association to maintain the standard. It was essential that a minimum standard be fixed in New Zealand. Questioned, lie said lie thought there was something to he said for an open market. Air Tait, a grower, said that if all growers packed as they did for export, half their troubles would be over. He was not in favour of price fixation, hut he was in favour of Air Campbell’s proposal to fix a minimum quality. Growers were not out for big prices but only for a fair profit over production costs The cost of standardisation should be borne equally by the growers and the retailors However, the system would he to the benefit of the growers even if they had to hear the whole of the cost. Air Rea rdon. giving evidence, said in relation to Island fruit that until more suitable boats were put_ into trade, all oranges arriving at Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin should he repacked in their original grade and count under Government supervision He made allegations of unfairness against- auctioneers in submitting fruit for sale that- was not in fit- condition, and he quoted instances of dealers having bought cases of fruit much of which was rotten. The 'iest method of collecting the cost of standardisation would be a levy on growers’ cases.