ISLAND FRUIT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23055, 4 June 1938, Page 12

ISLAND FRUIT

LABGE SHIPMENT PRICES FOR ORANGEB COMPLAINT BY RETAILERS The second largest consignment Island fruit since the Government'' took over the control of shipments and' distribution arrived in Auckland yesterday by the Matua. It came fr om the Cook group and comprised 19,252cases of oranges, 2469 cases of bananas' 1552 boxes of tomatoes, 126 cases mandarins, 37 eases of grapefruit and 34 cases of lemons. The fruit arrived; in fair condition, the estimated wast*, ago being from 10 to 15 per cent. * Wholesale prices for oranges were, fixed at 8s 6d to lis a case, accord-. »' ing to condition, it being estimated that the average price was about 10g, a case. Complaints were later made by re., tailers that, in spite of assurances by, the Minister of Marketing, the Hon/. W. Nash, that oranges and bananajj would not bo sold at prices in excesj, of those fixed by the Director of Ma*., keting, Mr. F. 11. Picot, oranges & , - . the shipment were offered for sale at, two city markets at prices showing aa, increase from 20 to 40 per cent oa the fixed rates. . h Such fruit, it was stated, was offered, " to country buyers who were unable. .. to investigate the position because, they had to catch boats, trains or--motor transport services, and also to, city fruiterers whose shelves were, bare. There were protests, however, and the increase .was short-lived, the, auction of oranges' being Prices later reverted to the fixed rates* in the manner that has been followed . in other centres. It is stated that the. excess amounts paid were later either, refunded or will be refunded to those who had bought oranges at the higbi ' prices. Fruit not intended for Auckland was practically all railed away by last *' night. For the Auckland oranges it is stated that retailers will pay at the fixed rates the equivalent of about is a dozen for sound fruit. On that basis retail prices should range from is 34 a dozen.