ISLAND FRUIT.

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 18898, 29 May 1936, Page 4

ISLAND FRUIT.

ORITIOI'SM 0F CONDITION. COMPLAINT BY RETAILERS. EVIDENCE BEFORE COMMITTEE. (By TElGSrth.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. Evidence was heard by the indus—tries and Commerce Committee 01‘ the lluuse of Representatives tc—day regarding the island l’ruit trade. Mr W. J. Jordan, ALP. for Manukau, presided. Mr A. G. Osborne, representing the Auckland i‘ruit retailers, said the re—tailers would have more conildence in prices tlxed by the Government than by those now doin-ar it. 116 gave ilgures, dates and shipments to prove that every auctioneer had instructions as to the minimum price tor the day. The unsatisfactory condition of island fruit on arrival was, he said, one of the root diuicultics, and he contrasted the condition of island oranges with oranges 01‘ the same variety from Jamaica, coming three times as far and being landed in perfect. condition. If Island fruit were grown and. marketed in as sound condition, he said, it could supply all New Zealand requirements. Evidence was also given by Mr H. A. Newaii, of Dunedin, and Mr Charles Capes. of Christchurch. Mr R. Menzies. of \Vellington, declared the time was coming when retailers would refuse to handle Cook Islands fruit at all unless it was re—packed in New Zealand and graded for sale. He gave instances where as much as a third of the fruit was thrown away on the first picking over, and deterioration of even picked—over fruit was so rapid that fruit placed on shelves in the morning had to be thrown out at night. More qu‘ld Inspection. Mr J. Stanton. representing the Auckland Fruit lmporters‘ Federation, said there was no trust or monopoly and no high profits were made. There should, he said, he more rigid inspec—tion of fruit before shipment. The number of packing sheds should he reduced and each shed should he in charge of a competent citrus inspcc—tor. No fruit control board or any other system could improve the posi—tion until hettcr methods of growing .aud inspecting were initiated.