STRAWBERRY CROP

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 19 December 1935, Page 6

STRAWBERRY CROP

LETTER FROM PRIME MINISTER

GROWERS ADVISED TO UTILISE OPEN MARKET ?

The Mayor of Motueka (Mr R. J. L. York) has received the following letter from the Prime Minister, the Hon. M. J. Savage, in reply to his communications on behalf of strawberry growers, in regard to the disposal of their surplus fruit:— “Further to my telegram of the 7th instant in reply to yours of the 6th. idem, in reference to your representations on behalf of the Motueka straw-berry-growers on account of the. fruit factory ceasing to take further quantities of strawberries, and in consequence they would suffer serious loss; I have to advise you that the matter was immediately investigated, and as a result or the representations made by the Department of Agriculture to Messrs Kirkpatrick and Co. of Nelson, the company agreed to take a. further quantity of strawberries, which at tifie time it was hoped would absorb practically the whole of the surplus crop. • “I was, however, advised yesterday that the factory was again closing down last evening, and that growers still had in the aggregate a considerable quanti* tv of fruit left on their hands. On receipt of this advice my. officers immediately investigated the position, and 1 understand from them that the Company has now pulped more strawberries than will supply their trade requirements and are not prepared to handle any more of the berries whicli are offering on their own behalf. These berries, lam informed, are of a quality that is least suit-; able for making a satisfactory jam for commercial purposes. •‘I am reliably informed that the Wellington market- can absorb a considerable quantity of strawberries, and that all brokers advise that satisfactory prices can be expected for consignments of sound berries. It appears that the quantities of berries being received from other districts are now ranged from 7d. to Is per punnet. I have just been informed' that strawberries, from the Motueka district, realised on this morning's market IHd to Is 4d per punnet, and tliat a consignment in buckets, containing lOib fruit, fetched 8s 6d. H the circumstances, a-s there is a market for these berries here, at what appears to be a satisfactory price, it appears reasonable that the growers 'concerned should utilise this market to dispose of their surplus fruitt.” - Lv'..