FRUIT DISTRIBUTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26078, 15 February 1946, Page 4

FRUIT DISTRIBUTION

DIRECT SUPPLY TO RETAILERS MERCHANTS’ EMPLOYEES PROTEST (P.A.) AUCKLAND, Feb. 14. The decision by the Internal Marketing Division to introduce a system of direct supply of apples and pears to bulk purchasers in the future, was regarded as a serious threat to their livelihood by 300 employees of all fruit and produpe merchants who held a meeting to discuss the matter to-day. Intimation was received that the New Zealand Fruit and Produce Merchants’ and Auctioneers’ Federation had been advised by the Internal Marketing Division of its intention to introduce the new system. Advice has also been received in Auckland that the Fruit Marketing Council intends to encourage, as far as possible, sales from the orchard assembly depots. At to-day’s meeting the following resolution was carried: “ That this meeting of employees of fruit and produce merchants, being fully representative of a total of more than 500 persons employed in the industry in Auckland, is very gravely concerned at the intimation received from the Internal Marketing Division, that it is the intention to introduce a system of direct supply of apples and pears to bulk purchasers in the future. We consider this a direct threat to our livelihood and request that such action be countermanded.”