THE FRUIT RING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19239, 1 August 1924, Page 9

THE FRUIT RING.

I’LAIN SPEAKING BY MINISTER. fFKOU Oub OWN Cobkespondbnt.) WELLINGTON, .July 31. Til the House of Representatives th« in answer to a question byan. member, Sir “With reference to the telegram tv the secretary of the Auckland * niltr Association to the Pnme Munster and also to the Loader of tlie protesting against my statement mam m the House on tuesday last when discussing the shipment of Island fnnt ** Ngakuta, that the price of fruit localise of the existence of a- fnut I desire to refer to the following PO “m the result of complaints and dissatisfaction expressed to, me by. native Growers hi the Cook Islands there DM been «-i?hin the last 12 months a close investigation by competent officials of the methods of sale and distribution of Island fruit m ; s all extract from one report submitted: The policy of the local mer*.. chants is to call a meeting before the anf val of the, steamer and agree, on a price to bo demanded from the bu % ex wharf. The prices vary awordmg to the quantity already on the local, market, and trie quantity coming down on the Another report indicates that the disposal of Auckland fruit is undoubtedly subject to control by the Auckland mcrdiante con-, cerned 1 also received advice from .the Cook Islands List at one of the outer islands, at any rate, the fruit merchants of Auckland had sent instructions to their representatives to endeavour to induce the native growers to sign a petition urging , hat the Eastern Pacific cargo steamer should not call at Wellington on alternative “(3) These reports justify ing that the disposal of Island fruit at. , Auckland is the subject-of concerted .action, on the part of merchants. If this is not. evidence of a ring it appears to prove control, and one knows that a rose by any other name would smell as sweet, “(41 The telegram in question mat b« divided into two parts—(a) lam entitled on the evidence which is in my to express my own opinion on a epnnraon of affairs which 'is almost impossible of definite proof. If legal proof were available it should not be necessary for me to express an opinion as formal proceedings could be taken in the courts. There appears to be no reason wbv I should withdraw' either with or without a suitable apology. . .. , “I think I fullv realise the necessity and the exigencies of Ihe trade as well as the Importers’ Association,, and the circumstances as I know them do not support the 'assertion that. my reference to the existence* of a fruit ring or control has been made with the obiect of misleading either members of Parliament or the of New Zealand.” ~ ~