FRUIT INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 179, 30 June 1936, Page 12

FRUIT INDUSTRY.

GUARANTEED PRICES SOUGHT. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, June 29. “A month ago I thought the fruit industry would not touch this guaranteed prices scheme, but with costs of production going up and with lower receipts from our export trade I think we must now run for any shelter we can,” said Mr T. C. Brash, president of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers Federation, at the Canterbury provincial conference of fruitgrowers today. The Government, he said, would not introduce a guaranteed prices scheme unless there was a demand from the industry for it. It was for the growers to clecide whether they wanted it. Under the scheme the Government would take over the marketing of fruit in its entirety. Statements made by the Ministers were to tlie effect that the Government would adjust farmers’ liabilities in accordance with guaranteed prices. He agreed that control of the local market prices would he difficult, as an over-supply of fruit unfit for export would produce a glut and depress prices, but if guaranteed prices were obtained for export fruit there must be some measure of local market control. The Government, he thought, were bound to shy clear of guaranteeing prices on the local market. . . The following motion was carried: — “That the Government be asked to investigate the fruit industry with a view to guaranteeing the' producer and those who are essential to the industry a just and equitable return for their labour in accordance with the value of their services to the community, and this conference is of the opinion that the guaranteeing of export prices is essential and should he the first step taken to place the industry on a satisfactory footing.”