3

1.—13 a

In the meantime, the Committee is of opinion that the marketing methods with respect to fruit, vegetables, and root crops, apart from apples, pears, lemons, onions, and potatoes, could be improved by the introduction of what are known elsewhere as " fair marketing organizations," and recommends that, if producers cannot be prevailed upon to form such organizations, the Department of Agriculture should consider the advisability of instituting a similar scheme for the whole of the Dominion. The principal requirement under this scheme is that of fair and honest packing. The working of the scheme by the Department of Agriculture would be briefly as follows : The Department would issue a registered mark to all market-gardeners and others wishing to join the scheme. A producers' registered mark would be withdrawable in accordance with the rules. The rules would provide for fair and honest packing, and the suspension of the use of his registered mark on the part of any producer whose pack was found on inspection to be contrary to requirements—namely, that the fruit or vegetables, as the case might be, of any exposed portion of the package are a true indication of the contents —the suspension of the use on the part of a producer of the registered brand allotted to him on account of faulty packing to be for any period not exceeding twelve months. All fruit or vegetables, &c., packed under this scheme would be exposed for sale in auction-rooms in lots separate from other produce of a similar class offered for gale at the same time, such lots to include only those bearing a registered brand issued under the scheme. In all auction-rooms where this scheme is operating the Department of Agriculture to maintain a reasonably consistent scheme of inspection. The penalty for a breach of the rules of this scheme to be more of a moral nature, consisting of the stigma that would apply to a producer being publicly debarred from further submitting his produce for sale along with that of honest packers. Together with this scheme would run, of course, the present Fair Marketing Eegulations, under which dishonest packing, when discovered, leads to prosecution. Standardization of Containers. • It is evident from the evidence submitted that there are a variety of containers of different sizes and shapes in use in the fruit and vegetable trade. Many of these have no particular merit and serve no useful purpose that would not be as well served by a lesser number. Not only is the present number of containers unnecessary, but it is actually harmful, in as far as it leads to confusion both to the buyer and producer. The Committee is strongly of the opinion that a range of containers of shapes and capacities suitable for all phases of the trade should be selected and brought into universal use by regulations under the Orchard and Garden Diseases Act, 1928. When selected, such containers should be known respectively to the trade by some distinguishing indication, which should be quoted in all important market reports. The Committee recommends that the officers of the Departments of Agriculture and Industries and Commerce go into this matter, and, in consultation with the interests concerned, determine upon a range of containers suitable for universal use. Power already exists in the Orchard and Garden Diseases Act, 1928, to give effect to the whole of the foregoing proposals, excepting those having to do with the retail sale of standardized fruit. This could also be provided for by means of a simple amendment to the same Act. As this represents one of the principal features of the suggested market improvements, the Committee recommends an amendment on the following lines being enacted during the present session of Parliament: — A BILL INTITULED An Act to amend the Orchard and Garden Diseases Act, 1928. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of New Zealand in Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows : — 1. This Act may be cited as the Orchard and Garden Diseases Amendment Act, 1930, and shall be read together with and deemed part of the Orchard and Garden Diseases Act, 1928 (hereinafter referred to as the principal Act). 2. Section twenty-three of the principal Act is hereby amended by inserting, after paragraph (d), the following paragraph : — " (dd) Prescribing the channels through which and the conditions subject to which fruit shall be sold for consumption in New Zealand or in any specified portion or portions of New Zealand, and generally regulating the marketing of such fruit in New Zealand or in any specified portion or portions thereof." As regards imported fruit, the evidence tendered to the Committee is so conflicting that it is unable to make any definite recommendations. It is clear, however, that further exhaustive investigations should be made by the two Departments concerned. Particular attention should be paid to the carriage of fruit from the Pacific islands ; to its repacking in this country by the auctioneers, which at present seems to be done without sufficient discrimination ; and to the serious losses incurred by the shipment of fruit in non-insulated vessels. Apparently some of the ships now being used for this purpose are quite unfitted for the work. As a consequence considerable sums of money are lost every year by exporters and importers, thereby increasing the cost to consumers.