UNSATISFACTORY FRUIT.

Wairarapa Age, 7 January 1926, Page 7

UNSATISFACTORY FRUIT.

ALI/EGATIONS IN LONDON. CONSIGNMENT FROM AUSTRALIA LONDON, Dec. 24.—A great blow will be struck at the prestige of the Australian canned .fruit trade if allc gations concerning the quality of the 1925 pack which, recently arrived are confirmed. W. Weddel and Company, Ltd., who purchased 140,000 cases of Australia’s exportable surplus, have sent protests to the Commonwealth Government and to the Victorian packers’ organisation alleging that the quality is vastly inferior to the 1924 pack. It has been ascertained that a preliminary inspection showed that a proportion of the fruit was “mushed” or green and unsaleable. The immediate attention of the Commonwealth authorities is considered’necessary, in order fully to investigate the position, and to arrange that only the best shall reach the consumer, because the name which the 1924 pack established must be maintaifled. It is understood that Weddel and Company have arranged for a further independent examination in the presence of representatives of Australia Jlousc and of the packers, and of independent experts, finally to determine whether and to what extent the pack ?s unsatisfactory. The consignment consists of peaches, apricots and pears, valued at between £150,000 and £200,000, which came from Victoria, New South Wales and South Ajistralia, and which were shipped/from Melbourne on a Government certificate guaranteeing the quality. It is understood that the pears were entirely sound, but a percentage of the peaches and apricots were badly “mushed” or green, some apparently having been packed when under-ripe and others when over-fipe. It is suggested that if the allegations are well-founded, the Commonwealth should withdraw the unsatisfactory portion rather than risk damaging its prestige by allowing tbo salo of inferior goods. It is thought that the explanation may be that home consumption fruit was despatched instead of export quality, which is superior both in grading and packing.