LEMON MARKETING

Opunake Times, 31 March 1939, Page 1

LEMON MARKETING

CONTROL BY STATE

PURCHASE OF ENTIRE CROP

SYSTEM OE FIXED PRICES

The Government is to take over the marketing of the whole New Zealand lemon crop from May 1 ; according to a statement made by a prominent Auckland grower. The Internal Marketing Division will buy all lemons produced at an average price of 6/6 a caset.

Lemon growers have been waiting for a long, time for an answer to their representations to the Government for assistance. Periodic gluts have resulted, in low returns for lemon growers, who state - that they have been working at a loss. Heavy crops at Kerikeri, Tauranga and other parts of the Auckland province have been sold at prices which did not cover costs of production, even without taking transport and marketing •costs into account.

Premium on Quality Under tiro new syhtem ike lemons \iiii be classified into three grades, and tae price of • <5/(3 represents the aveiugo. It does not meau that gio no.'s producing the highest quality ninoiici will receive no more than 6,0, nor that the lowest quality wii oc bought at this price, For lemons ui the former typo growers believe they will be paid up to about 2/6 a case more -than the average price, while fruit of the poorer quality as expected to yield slightly under 0/. The cost of production as evidently the basis on which the price to growers has been fixed, allowances being made for the vaiue of by-pro-dnets and for benefits expected from a centralised marketing system. Grapefruit and oranges do not come under the scheme, although; growers of these fruits have also applied for Stau assistance.

Previously growers at Keiikeri and f'auranga, who supply the bulk ot How Zealand's requirements, have worked together run uiug packing sheds and marketing their products on co-operative lines. It :is understood that the Government .may supervise these sheds and may. attain 1 ish a central packing and grading deped in Auckland. Final details of the scheme have si ili to be settled, and for this pur pose Mr. F. It. licet. Director of Internal Marketing, find Mr. A. H. iioueylieJd, Auckland' manager of the Marketing Division, rue now iu Tauraiiga conferring with growers.