Free Apples To Be Distributed Among Schools This Week

Taranaki Daily News, 22 March 1943, Page 2

Free Apples To Be Distributed Among Schools This Week

Press Assn.

Wellington, Last Night.

All schools throughout the Dominion will receive their first consignment of free apples this week for distribution to pupils. The Government had decided that school children would receive one apple a day during the flush of the season, as well as providing full supplies for the local market, said the Minister of Marketing, the Hon. J. G. Barclay, to-night. In some schools there was an apparent over supply during certain periods last year, but this year's quantities had been reduced to ensure strictly 'one apple a day to the nearest case. "Heavy quantities of apples were coming forward," said Mr. Barclay, "and the low prices on the markets certainly have the effect of enabling everyone to enjoy full quantities "of apples once again. These apples are being sold by the Internal Marketing Department at from 4s to 6s 6d a case. As they cost the department about 6s a case, plus freight, insurance and overhead, bringing the total cost up to nearly 9s a case, it is easy for any fair-minded person to see that the public is getting this fruit at very much below cost. The flush season has now arrived, and for the next two or three months the great bulk of apple* will be sold at these prices."