BANANA MARKETING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23215, 8 December 1938, Page 24

BANANA MARKETING

CANTERBURY CRITICISM METHODS DEFEAT OBJECTIVE [by telegraph —own correspondent] CHRISTCHURCH, Wednesday ' Strong criticism of the Internal Marketing Department's method of handling and marketing of bananas is contained in a statement issued on behalf of Canterbury Fruit Buyers Association by the secretary, Mr. C. H. Capes. The association contends that the system adopted by the department makes impossible the stated objective of the Minister of Marketing, the Hon. W. Nash, namely, the lowering of the price of bananas to the general public. Mr. Capes said that last year the ripening charge had been Is 6d a case. The lowest sum charged under the control of the board was 3s 6d a case, and this was for only one month. In the remainder of the period the charge had been between 4s and 6s 6d. "The figures in the consolidated charges (commission, handling and ripening) reveal further so-called 'improvements,' " stated Mr. Capes. "During September these charges totalled 8s 9d a case. Efficiently administered by another department—the control of marketing of bananas was in the hands of the Prime Minister's Department for the first year of the marketing scheme —the same charge for the same bananas under the same conditions never exceeded 3s a case. "It is just nopsense," said Mr. Capes, "to suggest that tho slightest thought has ever been given to either the consumer or the retailer. The Minister may be sincere in his desire and /he is probably correct in his theory, but that will avail him nothing if his department follows its own inclinations. The definite aim of the Minister is to provide the consumer with cheaper bananas. As matters stand his staff has put into operation a scheme which effectively prevents it."