DUTIES ON FRUIT

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17023, 7 August 1929, Page 8

DUTIES ON FRUIT

SECOND EDITION

— INCREASE OPPOSED DEPUTATION TO MINISTER (Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. Answering a deputation of Auckland and Christchurch retail fruit on ry, introduced by the lion. ,J. P>. iionaid to protest, against fruitgrowers’ requests for increased duties on iinnortcd fruits and toiimtoes, tlie Hon. W. TB. Taverner, Minister of Custom's, stated that the whole question was being investigated comprehensively, but he did not propose to make any recommendation to Cabinet which would increase the cost of living. On the other hand, they wanted to retain whatever business yasf possible in New Zealand, though it would be wrong jo make a change increasing the price of fruit, which was too dear already. The deputation:. Quite right.

Mr. Taverner: Purchased in wholesale quantities for manufacturing, our fruit is,the dearest in the world. On the other hand, 1 don’t suggest that the fruitgrower is making undue profits, but the -cost, of production is ap parentlv too high. Regarding Island toiuatpes, the Minister declared that it was a difficult question. It would be a wrong principle to interfere with internal trade. New Zealand had charge of the Cook Islands, and the islanders must be given a fair chance to engage in their work. The Minister declared that lie would endeavor to do justice amid flu conflicting interests, and if possible reduce the cost of living. Certainly he would hot. increase, it..