APPLE EXPORT.

Evening Star, Issue 19659, 12 September 1927, Page 4

APPLE EXPORT.

10 Tim imixou. Sir, —I take the liberty of suggesting that your sub-leader on * Apple Export,’ : which appeared in the August 29 issue ' of the ‘Star,’ is not exactly correct in > that part where it infers that speculators buy tho output of Otago _ export apples. There may have been isolated instances where apples were sold t.o.h. Port Chalmers, but this should not be taken as tho usual practice, as evidenced by the fact that tho Co-opera-tive Fruitgrowers of Otago, Ltd., has been supervising apple export shipping for several seasons on behalf of clients, and in every instance except one the fruit was consigned direct from the growers to agents in the overseas markets for sale. These shippers have taken the risk because of the help afforded by tho Government guarantee, well knowing that, while the New Zealand Government, with the guarantee, was assisting the apple growers to test tho overseas markets with the view of obtaining an outlet for tlieir produce in the future, it was their duty to play tho game; consequently the inference in your leader is unfair to those growers' who consign direct. Fruitgrowers in Otago ns a whole recognise the value of tho Government guarantee lor apple export, especially after the _ experience , of prices realised for apples in the London market during the 1926 season. The Government olyNew Zealand also recognises tho fruit industry as being one of its most important national assets, and rightly so, not alone for its production of a most neccsary article of diet, but because land that, would otherwise remain waste in many 1 parts of tho dominion _is being made productive and supporting and providing a healthy occupation for hundreds of families; hence the granting of the guarantee for apple export. Again, the inference conveyed in your leader that the selling of export apples to the speculator has proved the salvation of tho Otago fruitgrowers is open to doubt, and possibly growers who sold apples this season at 9s, f.0.b., to tho speculator arc not looking at it from a salvation point of view in the laee of the prices realised lor Otago-grown apples in tho London market this season. Otago is not under tho Fruit Control, Board, but it must be admitted that the decision was not only a hold step, but one which tended to weaken tho efforts that were being made to organise a system which would control prices of New Zealand apples in tho United Kingdom and Continental markets. Co-operation in the marketing of fruit is absolutely necessary, so that organised distribution can_ be aranged to avoid glut and low prices. Fruit, from its perishable nature, requires prompt sales when placed on the markets; consequently responsible supervision at the marketing end is necessary, whether it is termed “control'’ or any other name more palatable. Otago being in New Zealand, Otago apples share in the reputation created for Now Zealand apples _on the Homo markets; consequently it behoves all Otago fruitgrowers, whether their apple trees have reached the export age or not. to loyally support the New Zealand Fruit Control _ Board in its efforts to obtain a continuance of the Government guarantee for apple export. —I am. etc,, J. 11. Wau.m, Manager, Co-operative Fruitgrowers ' of Otago, Ltd., Dunedin, September 12.