ASSISTANCE FOR FRUITGROWERS

Northern Advocate, 13 July 1936, Page 6

ASSISTANCE FOR FRUITGROWERS

[Special to “Northern Advocate'”! AUCKLAND, This Day. Speaking at Gratia on Saturday the Hon. H. G. R. Mason, Minister of Justice, and member for the district, said that he recognised some of the difficulties under which fruit-growers were labouring, and he knew that the Minister of Industries and Commerce had decided to institute an inquiry into the marketing of fruit after it left the producer. The inquiry would cover the whole field of marketing, and was long overdue. The cost of production to the grower should also be a matter for consideration, and he would urge on the Government the necessity for this question to be dealt with.

It was stated that owing to higher wages and attractions in the city and the possibility of difficulty of finding labour in competition with Public Works jobs, the fruit growers had asked the Government for the introduction of a form of guaranteed price to ensure a reasonable living wage. Mr Mason said that it was the policy of the Government to see that workers received a reasonable return for their labour, and though fruit growing was not in his department, he was certain that something would be attempted. If a plan was not formulated in ,time for next season he would recommend some form of temporary Special assistance.

-In reference to export, the Minister said that industry should formulate a plan and submit it to the Government. Such a plan would receive favourable consideration. Local marketing would depend on the finding of the Marketing Commission.