FRUIT PRICES IN N.Z.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 202, 10 August 1927, Page 4

FRUIT PRICES IN N.Z.

NOT CONSIDERED REASONABLE ENOUGH GOVERNMENT URGED TO DO SOMETHING. (Special to “Tribune.”) Wellington, Aug. 10. While agreeing that tile Governrnent had done the right thing in paying £70,000 to fruitgrowers each year as a guarantee on the export of fruit, Mr. H. T. Armstrong (Christchurch East) asked in the House ot Representatives last night whether it would not be much better for the Government to do something to make it possible for the people of New Zealand to purchase Iruit at a reasonable price, “I have heard it said.” remarked Mr, Armstrong, “that the growers would be well satisfied with a guarantee of Id per lb. Thev could not get this but fruit is selling in Christchurch and Wellington at 6d or 7d a lb. If we turned our attention in that direction, and if the Government assisted the producers by stepping in between them and the consumers so as to make it possible for the latter to secure fruit and other commodities produced here at a reasonable rate, it would be doing much better for the producers than it is doing at present in the matter of export.” Mr. H. G. Dickie (Patea): Like the New South Wales fish shops, eh? Mr. Armstrong: I do not think that the hon, member who interrupted could even be trusted with the nuinagement of a fish shop. (Laughter). •