FRUIT MARKETING

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 28 April 1937, Page 6

FRUIT MARKETING

REPORT OF COMMITTEE IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATIONS CONTROL OF ALL COMMODITIES iß\ Telegraph—Press AssociationJ WELLINGTON, This Day. The report of the Fruit Marketing Committee to the Government was to- ; day released for publication. It consists ; of 211 pages of typed foolscap. The Fruit Marketing Committee in its report recommend: (1) Formal assumption of control of marketing of all our horticultural commodities by the Primary Products Marketing Department and extension or amplification of the Primary Products Marketing legislation where necessary to effect this end. (2) The appointment by the Primary Products Marketing Department of an officer, to be designated Director of Fruit Marketing. (3) Setting up of a consultative committee comprising representatives of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers’ Federation, the New Zealand Fruit Export Control Board, the New Zealand Fruit and Produce Brokers’ Federation, and the Wellington Fruit and Vegetable Retailers’ Association. (4) The establishment of district marketing authorities to direct and control the marketing of any particular commodity where and when and to the extent deemed desirable by the Marketing Department. IN CHAOTIC STATE The committee, in recommending State control, finds horticultural industries as a whole are in a chaotic state, producers generally, by reason of the disorganised condition of affairs, finding it increasingly difficult to carry on in consequence of the low net returns ruling. Disorganisation has resulted in a feeling of suspicion and distrust among those engaged in the industry. Growers are receiving too low prices for their produce and are finding it increasingly difficult to carry on. Balance sheets of wholesale and retail dis- | tributors do not suggest excessive profits are being made by them. The pub- ■ lie is paying too high a price for fruit.