EXPORT OF FRUIT

Southland Times, Issue 25747, 10 August 1945, Page 3

EXPORT OF FRUIT

BENEFITS REALIZED (P.A.) WELLINGTON, August 9. “The benefits of re-establishing export connections as soon as possible are fully realized by the Fruit Marketing Council because of the value of such connections to the postwar organization," stated Mr R. P. Frasey, chairman of the council, in a report to the annual conference of the Fruitgrowers’ Federation. “For this reason the council would not have been averse to exporting, even at a loss to the general pool, but it is felt that no export of this small quantity (75,000 cases of apples) would not endanger the standing of New Zealand fruit overseas.” The full council had not been in a position to discuss exports to the United Kingdom before the decision whether export should or should not be effected this year was determined, said Mr Fraser. The meeting when this matter would have been discussed was unfortunately postponed, and in the meantime it had become urgently necessary to reply to the offer made by the British Ministry of Food in respect to the supply of 75,000 cases of apples. The Supply Council’s attitude was known to be that the domestic markets must be supplied adequately, and only surpluses disposed of to other markets. In view of the fact that the crop estimates at the time indicated that the total quantity of fruit available would not easily permit export to the United Kingdom, it was felt that the Supply Council would not approve such exports. That had subsequently been confirmed.

The people of Britain were not deprived of that fruit, as it had been made up bjr Australia, added Mr Fraser. . . '