VEGETABLE PRICES

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24369, 3 September 1942, Page 4

VEGETABLE PRICES

CONTROL OPPOSED STATEMENT BY SOCIETY The recent developments regarding the production and marketing of vegetables and garden produce are reviewed in a statement issued by the Auckland Commercial Gardeners' Society, which embraces growers from Whangarei to Cambridge. At the society's last general meeting reports on the Dominion conference were submitted and discussed. The conference had been of the opinion that before any Government scheme for the production of vegetables to meet military and civilian needs was formulated, the Dominion council should have been consulted to ensure getting the most practical advice. Present System Satisfactory It was also agreed that the present system of marketing produce through the auction markets is the most satisfactory from the growers' point of view and the fairest means between buyer and seller, as the retailer made his own price in the same way as livestock was bought. The seasonal demand for tomatoes for sauce and canning purposes in Auckland, continued the statement, ran into thousands of tons. In 1939 there were 256 glasshouses growing tomatoes and many had been built since, but owing to tho shortage of labour and owners being called f.or military service, many houses were not being planted this year. In the growers' opinion there would only ho about two-thirds of the usual planting of outdoor tomatoes this year. Among tho other problems confronting growers were the lack of seeds, tho increased cost of spraying materials and difficulties in obtaining sulphate manures. Price-Fixing Opposed Referring to recent complaints on the high prices of vegetables and suggestions for marketing under the control of the Internal Marketing Division, the growers were of opinion that if the department auctioned tho produce there would be no advantage over the present system. Tho distribution at fixed prices to retailers would be a guarantee unless growers wero to be left with produce on their hands at times of glut. The marketing proposals would entail tho licensing of market gardening from beginning to end, the personnel, cropping area and the quantity of each product, and when the vagaries of the climate were taken into account it would seem that such control was impossible and too groat a problem in complicated times liko those of today. Growers were against any attempt to fix a maximum wholesale price without fixing a corresponding minimum, concluded the statement. The growers who went to considerable trouble and expense to grow certain vegetables out of season were debarred by price-fixing from obtaining a payable price for the fruits of their labours. NEW RATES ANNOUNCED INCR EASES ALLOWED (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday The Price Tribunal announced to-day that an adjustment had been made in the prices fixed last month for pumpkins, 'kumaras and spring carrots. The price of pumpkins has been advanced from 4d to 5d per lb. retail, kumaras from s£d to 6d, and the prices for spring carrots are 4Jd in the North Island and 4d elsewhere. The price of main crop carrots is unaltered. A retail price of 6d per lb. h as been fixed by the Price Tribunal for New Zealand-grown onions harvested on or before November 1 this-wear. This action has been taken to facilitate the orderly marketing and distribution of available supplies, and the price fixed will operate throughout the Dominion. The order fixes the maximum prices chargeable by growers as follows: South Island, £3l; North Island, £32 10s (both with sacks in on trucks to growers at country stations). Provision is also made in the order for maximum prices chargeable by distributors and also for margins of profits able to be levied by wholesalers in respect to sales to retailers. The previous order of tho Price Tribunal, which came into effect on August 14, fixed the top wholesale prices for carrots and parsnips at £1 Is per cwt., with a retail maximum of 3Jd per lb. Maximum prices for kumaras were £1 14s per cwt. wholesale and 5Jd per lb. retail; for pumpkins, £1 4s per cwt. and 4d per lb.; and for turnips and swedes, 12s per cwt. and 2d per lb. FREE LAND AVAILABLE DEVONPORT COUNCIL PLAN The Devonport Borough Council discussed last night the question of making available rich strips of land on a roadway in Alison Park, near the old racecourse, for the growing of vegetables. It was decided to leave details in the hands of the borough engineer, Mr. A. T. Griffiths, but the scheme was explained to mean that any local citizens interested in the growing of extra vegetables would he able to apply for free use of the land. The arrangement would apply the Mayor intimated, for the duration of the war only. JUMP FROM TOP FLOOR A verdict that deceased committed suicide while insane s returned by the coroner, Mr. F. K. Hunt, at an inquest yesterday into the death of a married man, Maurice Oliver Braddock, aged 28, whose wife resides at 56 Murdoch Road, Grey Lynn. Deceased jumped from one of the top floors of a city building on Augi at 11, suffering injuries from which he died before reaching the hospital. HAMILTON LIGHTING (0.C.) HAMILTON, Wednesday A declrration that there should be no relaxation of tho lighting restrictions in Hamilton has been made by the Chief Warden, Mr. H. I). Caro. A meeting of area wardens last night decided to instruct all residential and business wardens to make an immediate check of all lights in Hamilton to ensure that tho regulations are strictly observed.