WASTE AND LOSS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 3, 14 January 1942, Page 2

WASTE AND LOSS

DISPOSAL OF FRUIT

GROWER AND CONSUMER

Government marketing of the 1941 fruit cargo is estimated by the official organ of the New Zealand Fruit Federation to have cost the country more than £420,000. Criticising the efficiency of the Government market system, "The Orehardist" professes to be "much concerned tha f there should have been so many complaints from consumers nbou< the quality of our present grades especially in recent months.

"The bulk of the fruit was received by the Internal Marketing Division from growers many months ago after being passed as up to standard. It may still have to be proved that there really was more than normal wastage this season. One could reasonably have expected less, as with a heavy crop year the Iruit i« generally of better keeping quality."

It is stated that the wastage, whether normal or otherwise, took place during the period the fruit was under the Government's care. In fact, it Avas the Government's property.

The fact that the loss borne by the Government must ultimately re(lect cn the grower is recognised, but "The Orchardist" feels justified in raising the subject and seeking some assurance that none of the loss was avoidable.

"A Tremend'ous Task"

"We fully appreciate the tremendous task the Government accepted when, in order to he'.p the industry, ft undertook to purchase the whole crop and was forced to market in i\~ew Zealand the additional 1,000.000 to 1,500,000 cases which in normal rears were exported." The opinion is expressed that if there is a loss—even a substantial !nss—the Government would be supported by the people, provided castomers had cheap fruit of good quality, the fruit retailer being "permitted to eiperate on a lower margin of profit" and a greater number of disLibutors also operating on reduced margins of profit. Special reference is made to the urgency of economies to be expected by cutting out unnecessary labour, material and transport ccsts. "There is a considerable loss in this direction in every case of fruit that is lots through bad condition. The present serious, shortage and high price of vegetables shows that wastage on either fruit or vegetables should be reduced to a minimum nnd at the same time it suggests that there is a ready market for every case of fruit which can be delivered in good condition." Constructive proposals, particularly in regard to eliminating all sources of wastage, in the orchards, packing sheds, during transport, in cool store, or in other places, are to be put forward, but "in the meantime we are convinced that the closest watch should be maintained by the authorities upon the possibilities of wastage."