FRUIT PRICE FIXING

Hokitika Guardian, 6 March 1930, Page 3

FRUIT PRICE FIXING

FOILED BY AUCTIONEERS

(By Telegraph--Press Association)

CHRISTCHURCH,’ March 5

This morning the auctioneers at the j Christchurch fruit markets decided to sell by auction a recently arrived shipment of bananas from Samoa and Niue Island, instead of setting a fixed /mice, as formerly. A large number of fruiters combined, and appointed one man to buy in each market, with a limit fixed. This buyer, however, was unable to make any purchase at ! his limits until the end of the sale. The fruiterers claim that new methods are being introduced since Turners and Growers, the Auckland firm obtained control of the “Maui Pomare” shipment. They state that Turners and Growers’ accepted tender was 11s 9d per case, plus freight which approximately is ss. The retailers considered that reasonable prices were 23s per case for Niue and 26s for Samoan bananas of good quality, which, they argue, should have allowed aai ample profit.

The retailers state that the country orders were filled to-day at prices from 29s to 32s 6d without apparent bids at the auction. After this the local retailers bought 500 cases at their own fixed limits.

The fruiterers complain generally against the Government allowing the fruit shipments by the Maui Pomare, Auckland merchants get . 'control . C

and declare that a move to force up the price is one result of this control.

On behalf of the auctioneers, it is contended that an auction sale is the fairest means of fixing the true market value. They deny there is any arrangements with the Auckland agent to fix the price of fruit.