NELSON APPLE CROP.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19008, 2 November 1923, Page 8

NELSON APPLE CROP.

CLASSIFICATION OF FEU IT. CONTROL OF DISTRIBUTION. IMPORTANT PROJECT LAUNCHED. (From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, November 1. An important project, which may vitally affect the whole of the fruit-growing industry of (ho dominion, has been' launched by Colonel 11. Grey and 'Mr James Allan, of Nelson. This is nothing: less than tho unofficial control of by far the major portion of the Nelson apple crop both for local and foreign markets, and the success or failure of tho scheme will be closely watched by all growers, as it represents in miniature tho provisions in the Bill which was to have come before tho House of Representatives last session, but which was shelved. Naturally the scheme is adapted to local conditions, and it is being run with the full sympathy, advice, and assistance of the Department of Agriculture Such a step was rendered necessary by the extreme position of the Nelson fruit industry at the close of last season. The growers were unanimous that something should be done rather than wait for any Act which might bo put through Parliament next session. Nelson had come to such a pass owing, in no small measure, to over-planting, that the growers simply could not afford to delay, and consequently this proposal is to be tried. The plan involves the classification of the fruit by definite standards which have been determined in consultation with the department. and a degree of control of the distribution of the apple crop to city and country markets. It is said buyers will ho able to purchase by standards without hesitation, as by no means will any fruit below a certain quality be permitted to be sold. Anything lower than “6” grade will not be put upon the market. The scheme also will ensure the public getting only the best of fruity and it will remove anv possibility of exploitation, ns the wholesale price will be set at a certain basis of reasonable profit, the fruitgrowers asking only a very small margin, and retail prices will be able to be checked, thus removing any doubts as to who is at fault should unnecessarily high prices h" charged. Under the new scheme the difference m the cost of Nelson fruit at, sav. "Wellington and Palmerston North, 'hould he only the difference in the cost of _r-rrieep to those places, and if it is more it will be obvious that it is not the growers’ fault. At present the scheme is not sufficiently advanced to make forecasts, but the growers involved fr.°l every confidence in its success. “If the scheme succeeds the Act cannot fail,’’ is the general attitude. _ It was found somewhat difficult to estimate the coming crop, but this was settled b” taking os h basis the growers* crops of last year. Colonel Grev. who is prominent in the moTcrnr'nf. wm recently appointed chairman of the Export Committee set up by the Department of Agrienlture.