Export of Apples.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 September 1922, Page 4

Export of Apples.

THIS SEASON’S GUARANTEE. WELLINGTON, August 30. The Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. W. Nosworthy) to-day made the following statement to the Press : It will he remembered that in connexion with the export of fresh apples and penis from New Zealand last season, t ie Government guaranteed the grower ", n net return of a penny per lb up to 100,000 boxes. Taking into account the expenses prior to shipment and the freight, insurance and charges ■at destination, this made a total Government guarantee of hetweori 16s 6d

and 17s a box on the quantity mentioned. Unfortunately the Home market for the fruit proved very variable, mainly owing to large quantities of Australian fruit in a more or less damaged condition being on sale at the same time as the New Zealand shipments Full particulars of the prices realised are not available yet, but it is certain that considerable claims upon the guarantee will have to he met. The Government has, however, given very careful consideration to the position of the growers in the matter of next season’s export and realising that sdjne guarantee is practically a necessity to enable them to obtain advances to tide them over the long intervals between the dispatch of the fruit and the receipt of the account'sales, has decided to guarantee the actual expenses incurred, not ins eluding anything for the fruit itself, and not exceeding 11s a box. As before, the total quantity to which the guarantee will apply is limited to 100,000 boxes, and as the shipment of pears has hitherto proved very uncertain in its results, it has been further decided that the guarantee must he confined to apples only. It is hoped that the growers will realise that in the present financial circumstances the Government has met them in this matter in a very liberal spirit.