CONTROL OF FRUIT

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 66, 10 December 1937, Page 12

CONTROL OF FRUIT

Objections Expressed PRICE FIXATION NOT WANTED "The majority of citrus fruit growers regard the proposals contained in the Primary Products Marketing Amendment Bill with fear and distrust," said a prominent grower from the Henderson (Auckland) distriet, in expressing strong disapproved of the legislation. " There has been a great deal of misunderstanding of the pro- 1 posals of the Government and certain sections have been misled, but the general opinion is that control is not wanted, as growers are quite satisfied with the present arrangements." However, there were two matters which could bo greatly improved, said the grower. Tho first esseutial was a method for tho grading of the fruit, more especially of the citrus variety, A great amount of inferior fruit has beeu consigned to the Bouth Island and is thus not gaining a reputation for good quality. The trouble does not lie in the inain centres, where firms experieuced in grading are carrying out excellent work, but in tho more isolatcd districts, where grading stations could be established under the supervision of Government oificers. Another matter which calls for attention is the need for obtaining a ■ certain degreo of co-ordination in marketing of tho fruit. When reports of a shortage come from one district, growers throughout the Dominion pour in supplies until that market is fiooded If some co-ordination was achieved it would prevent such waste and inconvenience. The grower pointed out that price fixation was not wanted in the industry. So far as Government control was coneerned, there were excellent distributing centres throughout New Zealand in the hands of men with lifelong experience, who could carry on the marketing in a more able cnanner than any unweildy organisation controlled by the Government. Growers are content to leave matters as they stand svith the necessary improvements to grading and co-ordination of marketing.