DUTIES ON FRUIT MAY BE REVISED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18787, 17 June 1929, Page 7

DUTIES ON FRUIT MAY BE REVISED.

The general question of duties on imported fruits has occupied the attention of the Hon W. B. Taverner for some time. The position involves fresh fruit, dehydrated fruit, canned fruit and manufactured jams. The question is an important one to fruit-growers. Canterbury fruitgrowers state that, unless some relief is granted from the competition of imported fruits, some of them will have to go out of business. Duties as follow have been asked for:—Cherries, 4d per lb; apples, 2d per lb all the year round; cucumbers and grapes, 6d per lb all the year round; raspberry pulp, 4d per lb; imported dried fruits, apricots, peaches and canned fruit that can be produced here, 50 per cent. The Minister is also to be asked to prohibit the importation of all tomatoes during the months of October, November and December. The Minister said last evening that he was still collecting data dealing with the position. In the meantime, he was having investigations made as to the importation of jam from South Africa. It not only was interfering seriously with local manufacturers, but also was said to be produced by very cheap labour.