THE FRUIT TRADE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22532, 24 September 1936, Page 13

THE FRUIT TRADE

NEEDS OF DOMINION DEVISING A POLICY COOK ISLANDS PROBLEMS [by telegraph—special reporter] WELLINGTON, Wednesday "I think we will bo able to devise a policy which will deal with the fruit trade of tho Dominion in general and with the Cook Islands in particular," said the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, at the conclusion of a long discussion in the House of Representatives today on the Cook Islands fruit trade. The discussion followed committee reports on the petitions from Island growers praying for improvements in the marketing system. At the same time the report of the Parliamentary delegation which recently visited the Cook Islands was discussed and its recommendations, which have already been published, were referred to the Government for most favourable consideration. The three members of the delegation, Messrs. J. Robertson (GovernmentMaster ton), C. L. Hunter (Government —Manawatu) and S. G. Holland (.Opposition Christchurch North), all spoke warmly supporting the recommendations and particularly advocating improvements in the existing shipping service. Mr. C. A. Wilkinson (Opposition— Egmont) also urged that the Government should carry out the recommendations of the committee. Mr. Savage thanked the members of tho delegation for the interest they hnd taken in their visit to the Islands. The problem there was by no means now, but seemed largely to be ono oi shipping. The Cook Islanders had the fruit to dispose of and New Zealand needed it. The whole question of the fruit trade was now under investigation and ho thought it would be possible to plan a system which would embody all aspects of tho provision of fruit for the people of the Dominion. COMMITTEE IN WELLINGTON AUSTRALIAN DELEGATIONS [by telegraph—press association] - WELLINGTON, Wednesday The Fruit Marketing Committee, which is making a complete survey of the handling, marketing and distribution of fruit and vegetables in New Zealand, including imported fruit and vegetables, sat at Wellington to-day. Mr. A. Coleman of Stratford, is chairman of the committee, tho other members being Mr. J. A. Campbell, Direc-tor-General of Horticulture, and Mr. J. 13. Thomas, of tho Industries and Commerce Department. The order of reference authorises inquiries into the channels of disposal of New Zealand-grown fruit and vegetables, methods of picking, grading, handling, transport and cool storage, sales methods, growers' organisations, and the saie of New Zealand fruit for canning. The marketing in New Zealand of imported fruit is being investigated by the committee, and also the marketing of New Zealand citrus fruits and products. The question of export however, does not como within the , scope of the inquiry. Tho committee is to proceed later to Nelson and Motueka, where it will sit next week to investigate the raspberry and hop industries. It will resume at Wellington on October 8, which is to be the final sitting, after which a report is to be made to the Minister of Industries and Commerce, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan. The committee to-day hoard a delegation representing the Citrus Fruitgrowers' Federation of New South Wales, evidence being given in camera by Mr. P. S. McDcrmot, General J. Hearne, and Colonel E. E. Herrod. A Victorian delegation is expected to reach Wellington this week-end. ASSISTANCE 70S GROWERS ASSURANCE BY GOVERNMENT -, , ■ [BT TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] NELSON, Wednesday While not prepared at the moment to state what form the assistance to fruitgrowers would take, the Government yesterday afternoon gave a definite assurance to a deputation representative of the fruitgrowing industry in the Nelson district that tho fruitgrowers would not be any worse off in the future than they had boon in the past. This deputation pointed out that if for any reason orchardists ceased to work the orchards, the result to the province and the Dominion would be manifest in a falling off of business and a considerable addition to tho ranks of the unemployed.