Bungled the Apricot Crop, Says Mr. Bodkin

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 54, 5 March 1943, Page 4

Bungled the Apricot Crop, Says Mr. Bodkin

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Mar. 4. The handling of the apricot crop in Otago Central by the Internal Marketing Department was severely criticised by Mr. W. A. Bodkin (Central Otago) who stated that iu the middle of the apricot season just past the Department had ealled growers together and informed them it required 50 per cent, of the crop, otherwise it would take over control of the industry. The Department informed the growers that apricots were required for drying, jammaking and canning for the army. However, the Department had not firat approached the canners and packers to ascertain if they could handle the fruit, with the result that wheu the edict came into effect the canneries were swamped with apricots and were forced to refuse supplies. Hon. J. G. Barclay: That is incorrect. Mr. Bodkin: 1 challenge the Minister to come to Dunedin and I will prove it to him. As the result of this bungle, continued Mr. Bodkin, there was a tremendous lot of fruit lost. Stone fruil growers from the outset had recognised that Government control of their product would mean disaster. Thej- had opposed it consistently and all they asked for was to be left alone. The Minister could not interfere with the crop on the plea that he was going to the rescuo of tho growers. Mr. Barclay: I have not had a single complaint from the growers. “A single complaint!" replied Mr. Bodkin. “I was inundated with them. The Department could not have supplied the Minister with copies of the complaints."