THE FRUIT INDUSTRY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2107, 5 February 1908, Page 1

THE FRUIT INDUSTRY.

A CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY

URGED. The disparity between the price at r.hieh fruit is at present retailed in Hie shops, and that obtained by the producer has led several local growers , j put their heads together, with a vi-.-w to devising a scheme whereby the industry can be placed on a more satisfactory basis. An orchardist in a large way of business, in conversation with a’ “Times” reporter put the matter‘thus: — “The only solution to the problem is to establish a co-operative association to set up business in town, and secure the services of a capable manager. Alost of the other growers would join in such a scheme and each shareholder would participate in tho profits. The middleman would be done away with, and the. consumer would get the fruit at a little nbovo cost price. I could give you many startling instances as to the huge profits made by retailers, who go for all they can get out of the public. Take walnuts ,for instance! A grower offered them at 4d per lb, but the retailer would not go beyond 3d, ami even then they wore sold to the public at Is per lb. The walnuts were accordingly shipped to Wellington, where they realised about sd. Later on, the local supply rail out and the retailers had to get them from Wellington at Bd, and still they were sold here at Is. This instance is but one of many. The profit .all goes to the middleman. With a co-operative concern, walnuts could be sold for Gd at the highest, and still a very good profit would be made.” “Of course, a number of small shops with but a small turnover would need to sell fairly high, but in the case of the larger shops, very great profiits are realised. The consumption of fruit, it is clear, would bo very much greater if the price were more within reach, and fruit would bo a welcome article of diet during tho present weather.’ “Some time back, a fruiterer reduced liis prices and he was simply rushed for orders. ' A co-operative business would be advantageous to all concerned—tho market would be adjacent to tho supplier; and tho grower would not- have the trouble and expense of packing ior it to go a long distance; the middleman would be wiped out altogether and the consumer would receive ripe fresh fruit at about a third or half of the present price. The fruit would be sold at slightly above cost price, and whatever proflit there, was at the-eml of the year, would be divided among the shareholders in proportion to the amount they had purchased, In a short while, a well-managed co-operat-ive concern would have all the business, as the others would not be able to stand against it, even with a reduction of prices.” , . “Endeavors are at present being proceeded with to inaugurate a scheme on the lines I have suggested.