Government To Control Lemon Marketing

Northern Advocate, 13 March 1939, Page 4

Government To Control Lemon Marketing

[Special to “Northern Advocate”]

AUCKLAND, This Day,

Following long standing applications by the growers for assistance, it is reliably stated that the Government has decided to take control of the marketing of the whole of the New Zealand lemon crop. Growers said over the week-end that from May 1, they expect their fruit to be bought by the Internal Marketing Department at an average price of 6/6 a case.

Under the purchasing system which has been arranged, the lemons will be classified into three grades, and the price of 6/6 represents the average. It does not mean that the growers producing the highest quality lemons will receive no more than 6/6, nor that the lowest quality will be bought at that price.

For lemons of the former type, growers believe they will be paid up to 2/6 a case more than the average price, while fruit of the poorer quality is expected to yield slightly under 6/-. At the present stage, lemons are the only citrus fruits to be embraced by the scheme. Growers have also asked for assistance with their grapefruit and sweet orange crops, but it is stated that these fruits have not yet been made the subject of detailed and exhaustive negotiation. .