THE FRUIT INDUSTRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20640, 12 August 1930, Page 5

THE FRUIT INDUSTRY.

PROBLEMS OF GROWERS. BETTER MARKETING SYSTEM. HIGHER IMPORT DUTIES WANTED. A decision to bring evidence regarding the marketing- and importation of fruit before the Industries and Commerce Committee of Parliament now hearing evidence in Wellington was reached by the management committee of the Auckland Provincial Fruitgrowers' Council at a meeting yesterday. The committee was joined by representatives of the fruit auctioneers and also of the jam manufacturers and fruit preservers. After members had been unanimous in deciding that the standardisation of grading of fruit should be brought before the Industrial Committee, the chairman, Mr. S. W. House, asked whether members could suggest any more economical method of distribution than that at present in operation. "What we need is definite evidence to lay before the committee," said Mr. C. Ballantyne. "What we have to do is to destroy what is preventing us from making a living." Improving the Present System. "We want to show that the present method of marketing is uneconomical," agreed the chairman. "Can, we suggest anything better than the present system ? We will have to show what is wrong with it and bring forward a better one." Remarking that an increased duty on imported fruit was needed, the secretary, Mr. G. A. Green, said that at present there were 100 many handlings between the grower and the consumer. The retailer had to pay three times what the grower received, while retailers were going bankrupt, chiefly owing to the high rents they were paying. Two representatives of the fruitbrokers then conferred with the committee, and a number of points in connection with the handling of fruit were discussed in committee. The Fruitgrowers' Council decided to press their claims for a more economical system of marketing, while representatives of the auctioneers stated that they would put their case before the Industrial Committee. Jam Manufacturers' Views. A further discussion followed on the question of eliminating as far as possible foreign fruit from the local market and of obtaining a sufficient protective duty to prevent "dumping." The secretary veported that he had communicated with the Right Hon. °J. G. Coates, the Hon. H. Atmore, the Hon. J. B. Donald, the Hon. A. J. Murdoch and Mr. A. Harris, M.P., stating that the present duties were inadequate, and asking for further protection. It was decided to bring the question of tariffs before the Industrial Committee.

Mr. F. M. Hills, who was present on behalf of the fruit, preservers and jam manufacturers, stated that increased duties had already been sought on certain imports which affected fruitgrowing, and asked the growers if they were prepared to (indorse the increases sought. Mr. Ballantyne asked whether, if the increases were made, the price of Reallymade jams and preserves would ue increased to the consumer, and Mr. .Hills replied that two years ago, when a similar request was made to the Government, manufacturers had offered to give a guarantee that if the charges on production, such as wages, remained substantially unaltered, there would be no increase made. The competition of South African jam had affected his firm alone to the extent of £12,000. based on wholesale prices, which meant that the firm bought £3500 worth less fruit, £2OOO worth less sugar, paid out £ISOO less in wages and used less coal and fruitcases. This difference had been made two-years ago and the position was now worse.

New Import Duties Sought. Mr. House outlined the new duties sought by the manufacturers. In place of tariffs of 25 per cent, on British jams, 35 per cent, on Australian,. 4s on foreign and 25, less 3 per cent., on South African, the manufacturers were asking that all should he increased to 50 per cent. The committee decided to support the request, with the exception that imports from the United Kingdom and Ireland should be left at 25 per cent. On canned green peas the present duties were 20 per cent., or Id per lb., whichever was higher, on British and Australian, and 40 per cent., or 2d, on foreign. It, was decided to endorse a request for an increase on British and Australian, with the exception of those from the United Kingdom, to 40 per cent., and an increase on foreign to 60 per cent. A suggested increase in the duties on fruit pulp to 3d per lb. from irrespective of the country of origin, was also endorsed. Mr. F. Firth asked whether fruit juices were mentioned in the tariff, and moved that the committee should make an investigation, requesting a sufficient duty to protect New Zealand fruitgrowers. The motion was carried.