FRUIT INQUIRY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17232, 11 April 1930, Page 6

FRUIT INQUIRY

WIDE SCOPE URGED MINISTER WAITED ON A large deputation, representing the whole of the fruit and produce auctioneers, and members of the Fruit Importers’ Association, waited on the Minister of Industries and Commerce, the Hon. J. B. Donald, at Auckland relative to the proposed public inquiry into the fruit and produce business. Mr. Harvey Turner spoke on behalf of the deputation and suggested to the Minister that both the Fruit Importers’ Association and auctioneers supported the idea of a public inquiry, but made the request that should the Government decide to hold one the scope be very greatly widened to cover the whole question of the production of fruit, particularly relative to the costs of same, the suitability of many of the producers as compared with others who had been trained, and also the matter of standardisation and the methods at present in use. by growers in packing, etc. It was considered by the wholesale trade that a special inquiry should be made into the retail portion of the trade, including the question of Asiatics. It was believed that there were far too many retailers engaged in the business, which could.be more economically carried on by a small number. _ It was the opinion of the deputation that the wholesale business was the most up-to-date section of the fruit and produce business, but there was no doubt that considerable improvements between production and retailing of fruit could be made. * The deputation specially requested the Minister to appoint a representative of wholesale interests on the proposed commission or board of inquiry, in addition to a. representative of fruitgrowing and retailing interests. It was also urged that should the Government decide to hold the inquiry the date be announced immediately and that the first sitting be held in Auckland. Mr. 0. S. Radley referred to the practice of growers retailing fruit privately at their orchards on Sundays, which was grossly unfair to shopkeepers, and other orchardists. lie also referred to the inspection of private sellers who were not under the same supervision as the recognised wholesaler and retailer. Mr. H. Fisher, secretary of the Auckland Fruit Importers’ Association, supported the request for a public inquiry with as wide a scope as possible. The Minister stated that the question of whether a public inquiry was warranted would rest with Cabinet, but he assured the deputation that in the event of a public inquiry being held wholesale interests would be represented, and he concurred with the suggestion that the first sitting should be held in Auckland.