MINISTER CHALLENGED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 277, 23 November 1943, Page 4

MINISTER CHALLENGED

FRUIT INDUSTRY AND PRICES

(P.A.) Wellington, Nov. 22. In a statement to-day the New Zealand Fruitgrowers’ Federation challenges the Minister of finance to publish the findings of the special committee of the Stabilisation Commission, which recently investigated production costs in the fruit industry. The federation alleges that the Minister has evaded the real issue and has treated the growers unfairly. “When the war began the industry was faced with the fact that its-share of shipping space had to be given up because of the war emergency,” states the federation. “It is evident that this would overload the local market and, in a state of panic after months of negotiating, the industry accepted for one year a price which was lOd a case below the average cost of production. This has never been adjusted.” The treatment meted out to the growers had resulted in decreasing production. Alongside the everincreasing demand to-day there was a famine in the apple and pear -market, and every case could be sold at a pricq which was only limited by the Government itself, still leaving an unsatisfied demand. The request of the producers for an increase of 7id a case was less than one-fifth of a penny per pound. The industry was' prepared to abide by the findings of the special committee of the Stabilisation Commission. The growers waited for three months for the findings of the committee, believing that at least the basic price would be adjusted equitably. At a meeting of Ministers last Thursday it was clear that of the four Ministers present ont one had even read the committee's report.