Nelson Evening Mail SATURDAY, AUGURT 7, 1920. MARKETING OF FRUIT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIV, Issue LIV, 7 August 1920, Page 4

Nelson Evening Mail SATURDAY, AUGURT 7, 1920. MARKETING OF FRUIT

W.E Lave opportunity to-day only for passing reference to the important statement made last evening by -Mr A. Gilbert, President of tbe Nelson Provincial Fruitgrowers’ Council. It ininresses us as the most promising statement made in regard to the trim industry. There is expressed a (inn determination to secure complete district unity and co-operation, then willingness to use the ordinary eommeicial channels in the marketing ol fruit. The fundamental fact is that it is now realised that the middleman is an economic necessity, and cannot he done without—unless, of course, growers arc prepared to put up the capital' and create a, vast organisation to perform all his functions. This they are not now inclined to do, and provided they get fair treatment and their fruit reaches consumers at lair prices, I eh re is no reason why they should. Growers do not intend to place themselves at the mercy of the middleman. By co-operation and standardisation they will meet him on even terms, and given the right spirit on both sides, there is no reason why satisfactory arrangements cannot be made. The middleman bogey has been'overrated in the past to the dis-

U - let's loss. It is, of course, purlediy iruc that.- everyone, wlm comes between the apple-grower ami th<> appleeatei' has to be paid, out ol the price realised by the article. !>ni by being there each renders a sendee which should ho worth the money paid for it. Suppose each producer had to deliver his fruit direct to the consumer or the consumer purchase direct From the producer, the cost would be prohibitive. Hut when the middleman comes i,n and undertakes Hie work oi distribution through the various agencies at Itis command in which other middlemen assist, the producer is able to got a payable .market and the consumer to get the product at a possible price. Civilisation brought the middleman into existence because it had need of him and could not get cm without his aid. He is cut- out- where possible, but when it- comes to a question of carrying on his duties, it- is useless trying to do without him un--1 less a more efficient, organisation can ho found to cany on Ids essential work.