POSITION IN CHRISTCHURCH

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 10 January 1944, Page 3

POSITION IN CHRISTCHURCH

CEILING PRICES BLAMED FOR SHORTAGE RETAILERS’ PROFITS “The news item appearing in “The Press” on Thursday in reference to dessert raspberries does not convey the correct position,” said the president of the Christchurch Tomato and Stone Fruitgrowers’ Association (Mr C. E. Pope), in a statement given to “The Press.” “The alleged shortage of punnets has not affected supplies of dessert raspberries. The fixing of wholesale ceiling prices of dessert raspberries at Is l£d a punnet and jam raspberries at Is 6d a lb make the marketing of dessert grade fruit uneconomic to the grower, because dessert raspberries incur approximately double the cost, as grading, slower picking, and punnets are required in producing this grade. Auctioneers’ charges and cartage are also an added cost borne by the producer on marketed dessert grade, while against this the grower can sell raspberries ungraded for jam at Is 6d a lb, ceiling price direct to the public. “Growers consider that the retailers’ profit on dessert grade raspberries is out of all proportion when the amount of capital involved, costs of labour, and the many months required in production are taken into consideration. “This line of fruit will not be available to the public through the fixing of uneconomic ceiling prices.”