The Fruit Industry.

Thames Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 19850, 30 October 1936, Page 3

The Fruit Industry.

SERIOUS POSITION.

QUESTIONS IN HOUSE. GUARANTEED PRICES AGAIN. ißy Telejjrapli.—Press A&sociaiionj . WELLINGTON, Oct. 30. In the House of Representatives this morning Mr. Holyoake moved an adjournment of the House to discuss the desperate position of the fruit industry owing to the low marked returns, and Other losses, to impress on the Government the necessity for a guaranteed price for exports. He said he regretted taking this action at the present stago of the session, but members on both sides of the House were very much concerned with the desperate position of the industry. A guarantee of 10/- would have been sufficient had the costs of production remained the same as last year, but with increases and prospective increases, it was doubtful if 10/6 would enable the growers to carry on. Mr. Lee Martin said there was no justification for the motion. The Government was aware that the position was acute, and was doing its best to solve the problem. The Government had had conferences with the fruitgrowers, who Avere satisfied with what was being done. Mr. J. G. Coates said the fruitgrowers in his electorate were asking him if they should cut trees down or not.

Mr.' H. Atmore said the position was disastrous, and he asked the Government to give the industry that to which it was entitled, and which would put it on a proper basis. Mr. P. Fraser said the attempt to force the hand of the Government was jeopardising the cause of those he sought to help. He charged Mr. Holyoake with discourtesy to the Prime Minister in staging such a motion when the Prime Minister had agreed to receive a deputation and explain the Government's attitude to it.

Mr. Savage said he had told the fruitgrowers to carry on and they would be given a price Avhich would enable them to do so. The general promise of the Government still stood. The fruitgrowers had been advised by him in the name of the Government to carry on. The Government did not want anyone to 'mpress them with the seriousness of the situation.

After Mr. Holyoake had replied the motion was lost.