THE FRUIT INDUSTRY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10956, 19 July 1921, Page 7

THE FRUIT INDUSTRY

GROWERS AND MILLERS SATISFACTORY RESULT OF CONFERENCE.' SUPPLY QF FRUIT CASES. The conference between the representatives of the Fruit-growers’ Association and tho.se of the Sawmillers 1 Association m Wellington, resulted in progress being made. The main question discussed was that in respect to the supply of fruit cases. For some time (it is said) the fruit growers have been dissatisfied with the class of ease supplied by the sawmillers, both in respect to quality and price. Since 1914 the price of cases lias advanced well over 100 per cent., while the quality of the timber, it is claimed, has deteriorated. One of the Erincipal objections in addition to the igh price, is the lack of flexibility of the timber used for the making of the top and bottom of the case. It is fffcatred that it is absolutely essential that the wood should be of a flexible nature in order that the required bulge may be met after the fruit has Ijeen packed for export. A uniform size and quality of case is also advocated by growers with a view to' avoiding wastage of timher. The saw-millers submitted a specification of a case which they were prepared to supply, together with the class of timber, and this was considered to be of a satisfactory nature. SUPPLIES PROM AMERICA ? It was pointed out to a “Times” reporter that dressed timber could -be secured from America which was of excellent quality for the nianufacturing of fruit cases, and the place was nearly 100 per cent, lower than New Zealand quotations. There were duty and other charges added to the price, however, but even under these conditions iijj was claimed that it would probably ah more satisfactory to import than use ijne Veal timber when the circumstances that have existed in the past were taken into consideration. The sawmillers stated that there was a lumber boom in America in 1918-19- and that timber there had advanced considerably in price since. The fruit-growers, on the other hand, .state that timber for fruitcas£ making in 1920 was considerably less in America than in the Dominion, and it was possible that a trial shipment would be negotiated for provided that satisfactory arrangements were not come to with the New Zealand sawmillers. , * ' The offers madfi by the sawmillers are to be submitted to the Fruit-growers’ Association, and it is understood that other matters which were discussed will form the subject, of Government inquiry. ~