MARKETING OF FRUIT

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 231, 16 September 1935, Page 6

MARKETING OF FRUIT

No Legislation This Year

MINISTER ANSWERS QUESTION

In an urgent question to the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. C. E. Macmillan), Mr W. E. Barnard (Labour, Napier) asked (1) Whether any legislation affecting the fruit industry would be introduced this session.

(2) Whether he was aware ol a proposal to set up an intermediate board, to act between the New -kaland Fruitgrowers' Federation, the Fruit Export Control Board, and the Executive Commission of Agriculture, and if so would he supply full particulars of the purpose, constitution, and powers of such board.

(3) In particular, would the suggested board impose standardisation ol pip and/or stone fruit marketed in New Zealand, and, if so, what would it involve in respect of the sale of very low-grade fruit, and would the board affect or interiere with the right of growers to sell where and how they chose and the marketing of fruit by the various large fnnt-packing companies. (4) Whether the Minister would see that the rank and file of the fruitgrowing industry had a ll opportunity of considering and decid.ng upon any proposal or scheme for improving their position on the local market, and that at the same time the right of the consuming public to obtain fruit at a reasonable price was conserved? The following reply to his question has been received by Mr Barnard from the Minister: —

(1) It is not intended to introduce legislation affecting the fruit industry during the present session. (2) At the instigation of the Executive Commission of Agriculture, a committee comprising two members of the Fruit Board, two representatives of the federation, and a representative of the department and of the Executive Commission has been set up for the purpose of investigating problems relative to the marketing or fruit within New Zealand. The establishment of this committee was confirmed by the Dominion Fruitgrowers’ Conference on the 12th instant.

(3) The question of standardisation of pip and/or stone fruits will no doubt be considered and reported on by the committee, but nothing can be said as to the committee’s views of the matter, as it has not yet met.

(4) The committee has the power of recommending only on matters requiring legislation, consequently the points raised will receive full consideration berore final action is taken.