EXPORT OF APPLES.

Matamata Record, Volume XIII, Issue 1111, 3 April 1930, Page 1

EXPORT OF APPLES.

NELSON COMPLAINTS. Holding Back Shipments. • I I •' Already' this season serious com- j plaint is made of fruit from Nelson being held back at Wellington, which had been sent forward for export overseas. At a meeting of the Moutere Hills Fruit-Growers’Union, it was stated that 1900 cases had been held back. Alfriston being despatched and Worcesters and Gravensteins being kept back. A motion was carried viewing with grave concern the mishandling of the shipping of the early varieties by the Tamm Practically the whole of the Nelsondistrict is asking that the russet allowance of Jonathans and Delicious be increased by 5 per cent, in the fancy grade and 10 per cent, in the gooa grade. Every year thousands of cases are shut out from export on account of russet, and growers generally are agreed that where there is but a mirtor blemish on fruit otherwise of high standard, there should be a larger allowance for russet. To the end of February Nelson shipments were about 20,000 cases less than for last year, but a later start was made with the boxes with a view to securing greater maturity and preventing the development of bitter pit. Dunns are now coming forward in large quantities. This variety, which appeared to bo doomed, Has shown a marvellous revival during the last three seasons, and will take a prominent place in this years’ exports. Growers have revised their export estimates, which now stand at 785,000 cases, an increase of 130,000 cases over last season. A start has been made with picking the Jonathans and in a week’s time, Delicious will be ready for a first picking. In both varieties there are neavy crops, and our orchardists will be kept very busy. So far only two boats are listed in direct loading from Port Nelson, but there are hopes that three others will be put on, as a result of the shipping committee’s meeting at Wellington. Even with five steamers loading here the total of direct shipments will be only a small proportion of the total apple exports. There is much disappointment that Nelson growers do not get a better hearing in regard to direct shipping, from which a considerable saving in holding of large quantities through the winter months tends to decrease the use of fresh eggs by pastrycooks during the late summer and early spring. A carryover from one year, to another constitutes a menace to tho industry, and during normal produc- J tion seasons becomes difficult to re* j move. Some form of control in pulpmanufacture and disposal is essential for the stabilisation of the industry. Eventually any export of surplus should be in the form of pulp rather than eggs in . shell. The establishment of a committee should be the first step in organising the industry. The duties of such. a committee would embrace —(1) advising the Government on any i:.atter pertaining to the industry; (2) drafting of rules and regulations to govern grading; (3) propagnada to ensure success of any scheme brought into operation; (4) control of pulp manufacture, and, if occasion demanded, control of export of surplus products; (5) registration of grading stores; (6) arrangement of finances as advance on eggs or for purchase of food supplies; (7) any other consideration which may be expected to stabilise the industry. It has already been suggested that a guarantee on export should not be continued. With its withdrawal the only assistance afforded the industry is the boy. the- duty on foreign eggs. As this applies mainly to Chinese produce, it is reasonable to continue such protection, as conditions of living in the two countries are not to be compared. In view of the protection afforded the wheat and flour industries, both of which depend largely on poultry as an avenue of consumption of their products, some financial assistance should be given to enable the poultry industry to organAn annual grant of £SOOO for a period of three or four years would probably cover organisation expenses connected with marketing. This grant might be tapered off as the proceeds of the levy on. eggs graded became sufficient to meet requirements. To ensure value being derived, however, ! Government support must be given in framing the necessary regulations.