CANNED FRUIT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27569, 11 December 1950, Page 6

CANNED FRUIT

Sir.—When the present Government took office 12 months ago I, along with many thousands of others, really believed that there would be a fairly quick return to private trading. That was what we voted for. After one year, however, we must confess that we have made a serious error, and we are forced to the conclusion that Cabinet has not yet tackled" the problem. Take the position of the canned fruit industry in New Zealand, and, bearing In mind that we grow fruit suitable for canning, we find canned fruit .very scarce. Most of it is imported, prices are much higher than they need be, and some of the fruit of very poor quality in comparison with the New Zealand' pack. Do not blame the shortage on to shipping. You can blame shipping for delays. The real blame can be placed to the Price Tribunal, who puts the local manufacturer at a complete disadvantage in the profit margin It allows him. He is not encouraged to work to capacity. Unless the Minister wishes to 'see the position remain as at present, he- will have to act quickly. Fruit is now being harvested and if the Government does not lift quickly all controls in the marketing of canned fruit we can expect still higher prices, which means less canned fruit in time for Christmas, 1951. The,National Party, now they are in office, should still remember that supply and demand, in a free market, will always determine price.—I am. etc.. Nationalist Supporter.