FRUIT FOR LOCAL MARKETS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 76, 22 December 1937, Page 4

FRUIT FOR LOCAL MARKETS

Standard Packages Must be Used EFFECT ON GR0WERS As part of the scheme for the standardisation of fruit for the Dominion markets, advice has been received by Mr N. J. Adanison, Orehard Instruetor of the Department of Agriculture, Hastings, that the wholesale distribution of loose fruit must be done in standard packages. The effect of this instruction is the elimination of the banana case, which was r.sed extensively by a certain section of the industry. "There has been some uncertain .y among Hawke's Bay fruitgrowers tbgarding the use of banana cases for wholesale distribution of their fruit for this season, on account of the steps be- 1 ing made to re-organise the selling an4 distribution of fresh fruit, and the in-' troduction of compulsory standardisa* tion for Dominion markets," said Mr Adamson this morning. "I have received official advice from Wellington that standard cases only may be used this season. The banana ease, or any other similar type of case, will not be permitted for the -wholesale distribution of fruit loose." Iuquiries made this morning indicat# that the enforcement of this instruction will have a far-reaching effect on several aspects of the indu|try. There is a lack of information about the matter, however, and no little confusion, for no official advice has been received by the Hawke's Bay Fruitgrowers' Association. The confusion arises as to whether the Government has decided definitely upon a scheme of standardisation or whether the instruction given to the orehard instruetor is merely n preliminary step. Imtolved in the general scheme is the question of grading of fruit for distribution on the Dominion markets. "There has been a lot of discussion and considerable correspondence about the question of local standardisation, and various schemes have been submitted from time to time for consideration and the opinion of growers," said Mr A. L. Baumgart, secretary of the association, this morning. "So far we havu not received any indication of what tht , regulations are, so obviously we cannot be expected to obey them or do anything in that direction. I did hear, quite unofficially though, that there was some mention of bringing standardisntion regulations into force about January 1 next, but what the regulationu are I haven't the slightest idea." Mr. Baumgart mentioned that, for •

number of years, quite a Dig proportion of the fruitgrowers have been endeuvouring to have standardisation introduced, With a view to stopping the distribution, for consumption by the publie, of low-grade fruit. It is felt by these growers that such steps would have an appreciable effect on the market, and would ensure not only su adequate return, but a better class of fruit being available for consumptiou. "As a matter o'f fact many reputable growers do grade their fruit, and have been standardising for a number of years, so they will not be affected very much by the regulations — at least I don't think they will be, though of course I don't know just what is in tk# regulations," he said. . Referring to the practice adopted by a section of the industry in using banana cases, Mr. Baumgart said that in the latest proposal for standardisation that was considered, there was a provision for orehard runs, which at the time was considered to cover thia position. In this class of trade the diatributor places the cases in the orehard and the growers pack it straight from the tree into the cases, irrespective of size or grade, though due care is given to the need for eliminating diseased fruit. The distributor then removes the cases and sells them direct to the stores and retailers without further handling of the fruit. Inquiries made by a reporter indicated that this type of business was carried on fairly extensively in and about Hastings, and there were two big distributors who alone handled over 100,000 cases of fruit in this manner. They, and others engaged in similar trade, will no longer be able to use the banana case, but must have a standard bushel case. "If grading is to be in'troduced, ns well as the standard packing, then it will raise the costs very considerably," said one grower when commenting uppn the proposed changes. "It will mean doing away with this direct trading from tree to market, and will call at least four extra handlings of the fruit. At the present ruling prices it will result in a loss, for it is as much as we can do to make it a payable busi-' ness. The returns now certainly do not warrant any extra expense being incurred." ' «