Regulations for Fruit Export.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 26 January 1916, Page 2

Regulations for Fruit Export.

« All' Marco Foseila, secretary of the ilorowlienua Fruitgrowers' Association, lias received, the lollowuig copy iiom Air 1. W. Kirk, oi tlie .Department of Agriculture, giving regulations governing the export of iruit. It says:—Shippers ot Iruit are reminded oi the announcement matte at the last conference oi the New Zealand Fruitgrowers' federation that in iuture alt fruit intended for export must bo forwarded to the shipping ports for Government . inspection ijoiore a. certificate would he issued. It was pointed out that it was quito impossible to continue examinations at the orchards or packing slieds, it having been discovered that owing either to dishonesty or carelessness fruit whicii should never have been allowed to leave the orchard was substituted 'or some of that which the inspector had passed. Complaints ana threats received; from Sout-h America in consequence were of such a nature as to show that the good name of New Zealand was jeopardised and a very promising business being brought to the verge of extinction; a very serious condition of affaire, winch can only be averted bv more drastic measures being taken at this end. Unfortunately tlie unsettled state ol the Legislature of the dominion due to the war has been such that it has been impossible to have gazetted dehnite compulsory export regulations no urgently required. Such regulations will, no doubt, be available for next season. In the meantime the following; conditions, which are drawn up as far us possible 011 the lilies 01 the proposed regulations will apply to the export of fruit for the coming season. ■Such conditions are imperative and are introduced lor the purpose of obviating, as far as possible, the mistakes of the past. I.—All fruit must be forwarded to one or other of the toll owing ports lor examination prior to shipment, .ix., Auckland, Wellington, Motueka. 2.—A1l fruit must be assembled at a lied set aside by the Harbour Board for the purpose of iruit inspection .il either of the above-mentioned ports .it least 48 hours prior to the advertised; sailing time of the ship by which ue iruit is consigned. 3.—A1l fruit forming part ot any waggon" load, railway truck or other consignment forwarded for inspection uust be described as to variety, case rands or marks, size of lTv.it, class it fruit and number ol cases! A copy of each description is to be delivered* to. the Government Inspector . rior to the examination of tile fruit, ■lanii forms for this purpose can bo btained on application to tlie local ■ i-chanl instructors. 4.—A1l fruit passed by the inspector ill be branded with a Government ■ rand 011 the case, indicating that it ■ is beeu approved for export. ■j.—All fruit for export must be evenv graded for size and; properly pack- < i. A variation of quarter of an licli will be allowed the different ;;-ades, but all variations in size uust be above that indicated on the ise but must not exceed the minimum I the next grade. ff any fruit is 'Uiid, below the*size indicated, the line . .11 be refused a certificate. (j.—All fruit must, be clean, sound, Lid nee from disease, and must, in ie opinion of the inspector, be in all s her respects in a (it condition tor xport. 7.—Each box must be branded "New ■aland apples" or pears as the case ay be. The name or mark ot the lippcr, variety and size ol tlie fruit uist also be clearly marked, on the •■me end of tlie box. —No certificate will be issued coving fruit for export unless the forcing conditions have_ been complied 1 th. it.—Tlie Department will undertake '■? inspection of all fruit free 01 ' arge, but the harbour board author- ■ -<\s will debit tbe consignor with the •st of all Labour required in conrec■)!i with the inspection, such as open<g, closing and branding oases. Although no further inspection will ■ carried; out at the various orchards and packing houses, the local instructors will, as in the past,' render bat ad,vice and assistance their time v ill allow prior to inspection. In conclusion, .it must be clearly understood that no certificate "will 1)9 'ssued or case branded unless the above 'millions are fully complied, with.