THE HOP INDUSTRY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 5 October 1936, Page 10

THE HOP INDUSTRY

(To The Editor) Sir,—With the inquiry into the hop industry now in progress a few facts and comments may be helpful. The industry is one of our important ones but, owing to its being confined practically to thq Nelson district, the marketing and distribution of the finished article is in the hands of only several merchants. While a man may plant an orchard and market his fruit throughout New Zealand a man planting a hop garden will meet with the greatest difficulty in marketing his crop since it must apparently pass through local brokers. While the fruitgrower harvests only first class fruits, rejects being used for pig food, second and third grade hops are harvested and sold as packet hops. While the hop-picker receives 3d per bushel or pound the broker receives l£d per pound or 10 per cent commission from which it must be apparent that, either the hard working hop-picker is under-paid, or else the broker is overpaid. A brokerage of ljd per pound on a normal Nelson crop of 2000 bales would amount to £3,750. Just as the Government controls the wheat-growing industry and fixes prices it should at least fix a uniform throughout New Zealand, also a uniform price for packet hops throughout New Zealand. It should also enforce the marketing of only a first class article. —I am etc. HOPPY. Ist October.