Stable Price Fixed For Apples, Pears

Northern Advocate, 19 December 1942, Page 7

Stable Price Fixed For Apples, Pears

(Special) WELLINGTON, This Day. The future basis on which apples and ptars arc to be purchased by the Government, through the Internal Marketing Division, was announced by the Minister for Marketing (Mr. J. G. Barclay). The arrangement made is for the duration of .he war, but, in the event of a general order increasing the remuneration of other classes, the fruit growers will also receive an adjustment in price. The average purchase price would remain as for the 1942 season, namely, 5/3 a bushel case, subject to the usual conditions in force during last season, Mr. Barclay said. He explained that in accord with the general policy of stabilisation, the overall average of the price schedule could not be increased above 5/3. but adjustments in variety grouping or grade differentials could, if desired, still be effected, provided the final result did not exceed 5/3 average. “The Government will compensate growers for increased cost to the extent of an average amount ol' 9d a case, this amount to be distributed to producers so as to ensure that the relative return, as compared with last year, is improved by 3d a case more for pears than for apples, said the Minister. “The Internal Marketing Division will arrange to make these adjustments twice monthly throughout the harvesting season. This arrangement will constitute the stable price basis for the duration of the war. Should it become necessary lor the Government to extend the purchase of fruit to minimum grade quality the determination of the purchase basis shall be a matter of negotiation with the industry.” . The Minister said that in making this decision advantages which would accrue to the industry under the plan of economic stabilisation recently announced had been taken into account. Among these were (a) an understanding that growers costs on an approved scale would be held at a determined level, and (b) that, in the event of a general order by the Coint of Arbitration ' increasing the remuneration of other classes the farmer would also receive an adjustment in his price. The Minister said that these arrangements were embodied in a letter which the Prime Minister had sent to the 1-nut-growers’ Federation.