NEW ZEALAND FRUIT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19798, 19 November 1927, Page 14

NEW ZEALAND FRUIT.

MARKET IN ENGLAND. GOOD POSITION OBTAINED. CONTROL BOARD'S OPERATIONS. "Brokers in England are of opinion that New Zealand is now top of the fruit market and that 'she is likely to stay there," said Mr. C. Gray, London marketing officer for the New Zealand Fruit' Control Board, in an address to fruitgrowers at a meeting held in Auckland yesterday. There was a good gathering, Mr. S. "Izard, of Henderson, prosiding. Referring to the publicity campaign carried out in England last season, Mr. Gray said as much success had been achieved as possible, although tlie campaign had been commenced half-way throtigh (the season. Travellers were employed to talk New Zealand fruit to the ,retailer. Booklets, leaflets and posters had been distributed in nearly 14,000 shops. The travellers brought bapk reports of the feeling of, retailers toward New Zealand apples, and these reports were of great benefit. After the whole of the ' campaign had been carried out there was still £7OOO remaining to carry on publicity. In addition, New Zealand House was conducting a campaign on behalf of all Dominion produce. Importance of Packing.

Mr. Gray said there had been three main 6hipmonts of pears during the year. The lonic had arrived with its shipment in an "awful" condition, the Pakeha's shipment had been patchy, while the Hororata had landed a very good shipment. Tho failure of the lonic shipment was due to improper packing. The pears had rubbed against the side of the trays and thousands were absolutely valueless. He had gone into the question and had found that South African shiptoents, which always landed in good condition, were well packed in woodwool, like expensive chocolates. He advised growers to pack well, even at increased cost.

Top price for the year had been gained by a Hawke's Bay grower at 3is 9d a crate. It was found that tho best of all travellers was the P. Barry. It was useless to send Vicar and Keiffer pears, as they were not wanted in England. Trade with Continent. Certain mistakes had been made during tho season, said Mr. Gray. Some shipments of Cos's apples had gone to the 1 West Coast and nbrthern parts,' when they should have sold in London, where they would have brought a much higher price. Some growers had an undue proportion of their fruit taken to northern ports. There had been some complaints regarding the board's policy. It had been said brokers would not pay quickly, but he had found that they paid quicker than ever under the new system. Some had objected to restricting the number of brokers, but this had led to greater competition. Mr. Gray warned growers not to always expect such a good season as last year. Last season the Australian and Tasmsnian exports had totalled 1,000,000 cases less than usuaL The English strawberry crop had been a failure, while there had been very little soft' fruit on the market. There had been very little bruising among the fruit during the season and most shipments, had opened up well. ' ' * It had been suggested, said Mr. Gray, that a direct shipment should* be sent to Hamburg. He did not consider this advisable, as the board was .already building *up a strong Continental trade through England. In reply to a question regarding the advisability of pooling, Mr. Gray said he would be guided, in that connection by the opinion of the/majority of growers. He was prepared to adopt the system if a majority was in favour of it.