IMPORTED FRUIT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20931, 22 July 1931, Page 12

IMPORTED FRUIT.

GROWERS SEEK PROTECTION.

AUSTRALIAN COMPETITION. SEASONAL DUTY ASKED. [BY TELEGRAPH.—-PIIESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Tuesday, Reasonable protection against importations of soft fruits and garden produce at the time of the year when tho New Zealand grower is marketing his crops was sought by a deputation from Iho Dominion Tomato, Soft Fruit and Produce Growers' Council, which waited upon the Primo Minister, the Right Hon. G. W. 'Forbes, this evening. It was stated that importations from Australia were seriously affecting local growers. Tho deputation was introduced by Mr. J. McCombs (Lyttelton). Other members of Parliament present were Colonel W. T. McDonald, Messrs. W. Massey, W. Nash, A. M. Samuel, W. 13. Parry and W. J. Jordan. Mr.. C. E. Pope (Christchurch) said that growers had been badly hit by the importations of cherries, grapes, tomato pulp, marrows and cucumbers, so much so that they had had to sell their own crops at below the cost of production. 'Tho shipping freights from Australia to New Zealand wero lower than the railway freights from parts of the North Island to the South Island, without including the - charges for transportation across Cook Strait. Mr. G. A. Green (Auckland) said that marrows and cucumbers were grown from one end of the Dominion to tho other but with no protection those engaged in tho. industry had made nothing out of it in the last year or two. * The deputation asked for a. reasonable duty to protect the industry so that it might expand. Fruit growing was a class of rural industry which provided tho greatest amount of employment. The Prime Minister: What protection do you suggest ? Mr. Pope: I should say 4d a lb' on grapes and cherries. While our fruit is on the market we do not want anything in the nature of fabulous prices, but simply reasonable prices to enable us to cany on. Mr. T. R. Foster (Lower Hutt) said that the lifting of the duty on tomato pulp had had a serious effect on the Hutt Valley growers. Mr. Forbes Stated that the question of a duty on fruits had been before tho Government on several occasions. A certain amount had been put on in the last tariff. However, the Government had to keep in mind the price of fruit to the public. There were times when people could not afford Is 4d a lb. for grapes and they would never tasto fruit at all if it wero not' cheap.

It was pointed out that a seasonal duty only was wanted. Mr. Forbes said he would go into the question raised with the Customs Department and see what could be done. He recognised that, small growers should be allowed to market their produce at a reasonable price.