Labour M.P.’s Remarks Resented

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 207, 1 September 1944, Page 4

Labour M.P.’s Remarks Resented

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Aug. SO. The New Zealand Fruit and Produce Merchants and Auctioneers’ Federation has sent the following telegram to the Prime Minister:—“Members of the federation, whose fixed standard commission on packaged lines is 10 per cent, of the gross returns to producers, take the strongest exception to, and also resent, the misplaced references and innuendoes, of Mr. Hackett, M.P., as published in press reports of August 25. His Inferences were unwarranted, and we are of opinion that his figures are calculated to mislead public opinion. In the circumstances, we consider a public apology is due by the honourable member, and we appeal to you, as Prime Minister, to Intervene in the matter. A copy of this message has been sent to Mr. Holland, and another prepared for the press.” In the House to-day Mr. M. H. Oram (Manawatu) gave notice to ask the Minister of Supply whether, in view of the protests received by members as to the inaccuracy of the figures quoted by Mr. F. Hackett (Grey Lynn) as being those paid to producers by fruit and produce auctioneers and those charged to the public for the same line, would ths Minister state clearly the terms on which New Zealand fruit and produce merchants and the Auctioneers’ Federation handle produce passing through their hands, and also whether members of the Federation were working on a fixed commission basis and, if so, what the commission rate was 7 Mr. Hackett, rising at the end of ths question period, said his honour had been called in question. He also said he had been asked through a statement in the press to apologise for his remarks in the Budget debate. Mr. Hackett was given leave by the House to make a statement. He quoted at length from an Interview published In' a newspaper on January 26, 1944, in which a grower quoted a series of vegetable prices to show that the amounts received by growers were disproportionately low compared with those paid by the con, sumer to the retailer. The article said that the grower added that this state of affairs would continue until there was a free market. Mr. Hackett said these figures were the basis of his remarks in the Budget debate. In the course of a speech in the House of Representatives, Mr. Hackett (Labour, Orey Lynn) advocated more stringent measures to control auctioneers of fruit and vegetables and suggested that the functions of the Internal Marketing Division should be extended. This would enable market gardeners to be saved from slow starvation.