Vendor's Right To Determine Sale Conditions

Chronicle (Levin), 8 March 1949, Page 5

Vendor's Right To Determine Sale Conditions

WELLINGTON, March 8. "We suggest that the price to be charged in the markets shou'd ibe ipproximately half the cost of the new box." This submission was made by Mr. H. R. Sampson, for the Dominion Council of Commercial Gardeners, at the opening of ' aroceedings today, aimed al settling tne . container dispute, oefore the arbitrator, Mr. G. G. G. Watson. Mr. F. 3. Spratt appeare'd for the Fruitgrowers® Federation ind Mr. A. J. Mazengarb for the ;etail fruiterers- and greenr grocers. Mr. Sampson. said that the container disputes had gone on for several years and in Canterbury since 1896. From Oamaru southwards there. had, been a longstanding case charge, but in other paris there had sometimes been a charge and sometimes not. "Our claim for a separate charge," said Mr. Sampson, "is ba^ed purely on the right of the vendor to determine his own conditions of sale." He added that from time to time that right had been restricted by regulations and price orders, all of which were now revoked with the exception of those relating to apples, pears and lemons. The first witness, Mr. A. Osborne, general manager of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers' Federation, said' that his federation would continue to deal in second-hand cases, but would not be bound to take all second-hand cases available. It would buy back cases on growers-' orders at ru-ing market prices, which he said would be determined by supply and demand. The hearing is proceeding.