PRODUCE MARKETING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 173, 26 July 1935, Page 8

PRODUCE MARKETING

THROUGH FRUIT BOARD’S EYES REGULATION OF SUPPLY. [ Per Press Association. I WELLINGTON, July 25. Some of the problems tu i.»e faced by piimary producers’ boards in the marketing of their products were referreu to by Sir Francis Frazer (deputy-chair-man of the Executive Commission Oi Agriculture) when addressing the New Zealand Fruit Export Control Board conference to-day. Sir Francis said that although prices in tire last marketing seasen nad generally been satisfactory it was, now ever, significant that their improvement coincided with the lightening of the apple load on New Zealand's principal market, clearly indicating the importance of regulation of supply within reasonable consumptive limits. The main aim of the board had been to secure a premium price by concentrating on quality and that had tended to regulate expert volume, but the problem ahead of the board as far as Britain at any rate, was concerned, was not merely maintenance of quality but reasonable regulation of quantity, lu considering tiiat aspect it had lo be remembered that New Zealand was not the u-nly oil-season supplier of apptes to Britain, and that aspect made Hie matter of international co-uperatiou one of vital importance. In that respect it was gratifying lo note that a distinct move had been made by the Dominion with her principal competitor —Australia. Dealing with export markets, Sii Francis said the fruit Board had lealisred the seriousness of the dangers that tne future might reveal if the industry was content to rely almost exclusively on Britain, and the fact that even during the past season, when international trading was difficult, nearly 25 per cent, ot the export fruit went to markets other than Britain, was indicative of the board's progressive policy. The local market, said Sir Irancis, was not receiving as much •mention as was being given to export tiade. The local market should be, and possibly it was, the best market fruitgrowers had. it was realised that this phase of fruit trading was far more difficult to organise and control. One of the difficulties, hitherto insurmountable, was the part played by lowgrade fruit in depressing the market to the detriment of fruit of good quality. He understood that there was danger of <he “Dominion mark scheme’’ being withdrawn. 'The withdrawal of the scheme was to be regretted unless the industry had something better in mind.