THE FRUIT SUPPLY

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 208, 22 May 1918, Page 10

THE FRUIT SUPPLY

THE FRUITERERS' SIDE OF THE QUESTION. (To tho Editor.) . Sir,—fieferenco has been made on several occasions recently, and another similar article appeared in your paper on Monday last, as to tho position of tho fruit sjpply and the prices charged to the public. In justice to the shopkeepers perhaps a few lines may bo acceptable. No doubt considerable changes could be brought about to tho interest of b'otli the producer and consumer of fruit, but the etumbling-block is not entirely tho fchopkeepor. Your informant quotes the retail price of apples at sixpence a. pound, whereby the grower would be content with one penny ,n pound in his orchard, in tho first place, I doubt if at the present time there arc many shopkeepers charging sixpence a pound, the majority, and a very good majority ;it that, aro soiling at threepence nnd fourpence. So far as tho grower is concerned his quotation of one penny a pound is not very explicit. If he refers to good, sound fruit, not good, bad, and indifferent as his orchard may contain, and I may hero specify dessert (since a comparison is made with a price that implies dessort apples), - then I venture to 6ay that there are many shopkeepers who would rush his offer. The trade needs many reforms, and tho most important of these are in tho ' orchard. Many orchardists, or' it may bo their assistants, do not know tho elementary stages of grading and packing their fruit, as an examination would testify if made on tho arrival in Wellington. >Scorc3 of cases contain spotty, bruised fruit, which so far as the shopkeepers are concerned, is unsaleable.

Another roform that is very necessary on the growers' side is n regular supply. Time and time again, the markets are glutted because the growers do not know when and where to ship; and further, (he ordinary supplies are often Rdded to by fruit having to be taken from codl stores owing to its premature deterioration caused by the growers not exercising sufficient care in handling and sorting etore fruit. The public, us in all things, require quality in fruit as according to their means, and it behoves the growers to enter for the public requirements "right from the jump. All apples should be graded into first, second, an<l third gTades, nnd each grade should be standardised. Blighted or diseased fruit should never leave the orchard. Patting should also be etand-

ardised, and so prevent bruising (shopkeepers' waste) by overcrowded or indifferent packing. Growers should, associate and endeavour to regulate supplies. Ho far as the shopkeepers arc concerned, it is a positive, but often ignored, fact that their heavy waste is caused principally by the growers' neglect of care and discretion. A shopkeeper' is tlio usual and best channel for suppliers to reach the public, and it is naturally the wish of every one of them to increase their own trade. If the growers will eonduct their part in a more businesslike and conscientious manner I feel sure that the shopkeepers will do their utmost, and be willing to meet and assist the growers, and so promote tlio trade to tlio interests of all concerned.-I am, etc., .TAMES T. SHARP. Hon. Sec, Wellington District Fruiterers' Association.