Otago Orchardists Aim At Producer Control Of Fruit Marketing Board

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26933, 19 November 1948, Page 5

Otago Orchardists Aim At Producer Control Of Fruit Marketing Board

Special to the Daily Times WELLINGTON, Nov. 18. The viewpoint of Otago fruitgrowers was put by Mr W. A. Bodkin (Oppn., Central Otago) when the Apple and Pear Marketing Bill had its second reading debate in the House of Representatives to-day and to-night. Mr Bodkin said that while orchardists welcomed the Bill it did not give them what they wanted—producer control. There was a case for greater grower representation on the board of an industry which produced essential foodstuffs at a reasonable price, Mr Bodkin said. There had been an increase in planting in Central Otago, but it was restricted to stone fruits and the position of the apple grower was still precarious. Most of the growers did want some form of orderly marketing but they would prefer a greater measure of producer control than hitherto enjoyed. As a class the fruitgrowers were probably the most co-operative of any class of producers and. they had given every consideration to any departmental proposal affecting them.

The Canterbury growers would apparently prefer to remain right out of the commandeer and market their own produce, Mr Bodkin added. That was also true of some Otago growers who, while they recognised that the present system had advantages, also saw the disadvantages One was that the growers were not encouraged to grow the best class of fruit.

There was the temptation under the grading to produce heavily instead of going for less of a better quality. He hoped that some incentive would be given to those growers prepared to raise first-class fruit. Many Otago growers, for instance, felt that for reasons associated with the climate they could produce an apple with better keeping quality. The Minister of Marketing, Mr Cullen, replying, said that the board proposed would be set up in the same way as the Dairy Products Marketing Commission whose chairman had been in the industry and who was a representative of it which both the Government and the industry approved. The same would apply to the Fruit Board He wanted to get the best man available, and naturally he would prefer a grower. The Government had acceded to a number of the growers’ requests in framing the Bill presented, and to do so had altered a number of the original provisions. Whatever was said about the growers, the fact was that those appointed to represent them were happy to have the department as their agents If the growers had different ideas in a few years, the position could be reconsidered. The gate sales limit had been two cases and -he hoped that as a result of the regulations there would be an increase of over two cases. That would help all.