THE FRUIT INDUSTRY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23703, 10 January 1939, Page 8

THE FRUIT INDUSTRY

QUESTION OF GOVERNMENT CONTROL HAWKE’S BAY GROWERS UNEASY (Per United Press Association) HASTINGS, Jan. 9. Hawke’s Bay fruitgrowers are uneasy concerning a circular sent by the New Zealand Fruitgrowers’ Federation in Wellington asking growers to vote yes or no on the subject of Government control and a guaranteed price for pip fruits, said a prominent Hastings grower to-day. The text of the circular asks growers, “Are you m favour of asking the Government to take over the pip fruit industry of-the Dominion at a fixed price to cover the costs of production plus a fair return to the grower, the price to be fixed by the Government after consultation with an approved body of representatives of the industry.” Orchardists complain that they are being kept in the dark and hesitate to reply in case they commit themselves to control without proper consideration. The general feeling, said one grower, is that Hawke’s Bay orchardists would like to know more of the purpose of the circular and on whose authority it was issued. , Commenting on the suggestion that; Otago growers were afraid that Hawke’s Bay, being in favour of control and numerically stronger, will force the position, a leading orchardist said there were many opinions, and he regretted the straw vote” as it appeared that it would serve no good purpose. If the question could be discussed by all growers more good would be achieved. It was., apparent that many growers were hesitating to reply and were seeking more information. He understood that a; conference to discuss the question would be held in Wellington in February.