SMALL-FRUIT GROWING

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 14 January 1936, Page 2

SMALL-FRUIT GROWING

INVESTIGATION BY GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIONS TO MINISTERS (From Our Special Reporter) “The Government can deal with combines which try to squeeze out everyone else, and they will be dealt with in due course,” said the Hon. R. Semple, Minister of Public Works in replying to ,a deputation from small-fruit growers which requested a Government investigation into the industry, and protection against imports from Australia. One deputation of small fruit growers met the Ministers of Mines and Public Works at Motueka and another deputation, supporting the first one, was heard at Tapawera. The Hon. P. C. Webb expressed the opinion that the only solution of the growers’ present difficulties appeared to be in the establishment of a co-operative or State factory. Both Ministers expressed the opinion that a Government experimental area would assist the growers of smallfruits in the district. _ , The first deputation drew attention to the decreasing areas of raspberries in the Motueka Valley. ' Where 300 tons of the fruit were grown a few years ago, to-day there were only about 30 tens. It was contended that the industry would not return to its former value unless “the ring” was broken. The value of an experimental area for the investigation, of the best type of plants and of treatment was also stressed. One speaker said the position was so bad that it was a question if a number of the small fruit growers could carry on any longer.. There were now no contracts with growers hv the factories and the probable price was not known until the crop, was ready. The growers considered 4£d. per lb for raspberries was necessary to make growing profitable. In past years the prices in some cases had been reduced to 3d and 2d per lb. As a result it had, been found necessary to reduce the wages of the pickers to |d per lb from Id. A good picker would pick 1001 b in a day, perhaps of 10 hours; and 6s for that labour was very small./ With tlie price at 4td per lb the growers could afford to pay 9s per 1001 b to the pickers. The Tapawera deputation pointed out that- raspberry growing could not be successfully carried on at a price less than 4d per lb. Mr Webb said he agreed that- an experimental farm for the industries peculiar to the district was overdue. It appeared that something would have to be done to save the growers and the only solution he could see was a co-ope. rative or a state factory: to handle the products and ensure that the grower received a profitable price. Mr Semple said he thought the Goveminent would favourably _ consider the establishment of an experimental plot. If coinbines were working in such _ a manner that they squeezed everyone else out they would he dealt with in due course. He gave an assurance that the matters mentioned would be placed before the Minister of Agriculture. In regard to wages we will see that slavery conditions are stopped,” he said. The Minister in conclusion said that a full investigation would be made into the industry.