DISHONESTY DENIED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 29 March 1930, Page 8

DISHONESTY DENIED

POSITION AT AUCKLAND (By Telegraph—Special to "The Mail") AUCKLAND, 28th March. An emphatic denial of assertions made by iMr J. W. Ransom in a deputation to the Minister of Lands (the lion. 0. W. Forbes) in Wellington on Wednesday regarding the system of inspection of fruit and vegetables in Auckland was given by Mr E. C. Turner, of the linn of Turners and Growers. Ltd. " ' Complaint was made by Mr Ransom that the- system of inspection of fruit and vegetables was totally inadequate, especially in Auckland, where, a paid official was employed lo protect the retail interests. "I know Mr Ransom personally, and I have no recollection of his over having acquainted himself with the position here," said Mr Turner. "I most emphatically deny his assertion that packing methods are more dishonest in Auckland than in any other centre. Probably a larger proportion of second grade fruit is sold in Auckland, but it is simply because the growers are handier to the public than in Wellington, where higher transit charges would 'leave nothing for the consignor if he sent second rat© produce to the markets. There are odd occasions when fruit or vegetables are dishonestly packed, but generally speaking the producer is as honest, or more so, than the average member of the public, as in most instances he has a stake in the_ country and. owns his own farm. It is the general practice in the Auckland markets to discourage dishonest packing, and no pains are taken to obtain good prices for dishonestly packed fruit. The situation at present is far better than it was some years ago. BEQUEST FOR OPEN INQUIRY iNext Monday afternoon a deputation from the' Auckland Retail Fruiterers' Association will wait on the Hon. J. B. Donald (Minister of Industries and Commerce) to request that the proposed departmental inquiry throughout the Dominion into the marketing of vegetables and fruit shall be replaced by an • open inquiry by representatives of those concerned. A petition for an open inquiry has been made to the Minister by the Wellington retailers, and Christchurch retailers are also understood to be in favour of such procedure.