UNFAIR PACKING

Hokitika Guardian, 28 March 1930, Page 6

UNFAIR PACKING

GROWERS AND RETAILERS COMPLAIN. !W INJS'TEK PROMISES REDRESS WELLINGTON, Alarc-li 26. Plain illustration* of tin; mean ! adopted by some people U> iiout tin law, which requires l'ruit and vegetables on the top of a container to o* a. fair sample of what is below wen brought before the notice of the A l-ing-Prime Minister (the Hon G. V, Ho roes) to-day bv a member of a tiejuuation representing fruit and vegetable producers and retailers. Coilplaint was made by Air «’J. \V. Ran som that t'ne present system of inspection of fruit and l vegetables wa totally inadequate. This was especially so in Auckland, where a paid o i rial was employed to protect re. interests.

In support of the complaint, Air ( El ford opened upon the Aiinister’ desk an array of vegetables of variou sorts, lirst displaying the sample given tiie top and then the class of pro (luce found underneath. Pota-ux swede turnips, carrots, etc., of whb differing size and quality were shun in support of the contention that sona producers packed their produce in ; dishonest way' displaying the best o the top and concealing useless vegc tallies in the lower strata.

“We feel,” said Air Ell'ord, “tii. the inspectors who go to the market have not been a siuess. The system has been in operation for two years, and we feel we have a just ease. - The public are being exploited.” Air C. If. Chapman ALP. Is this : general practice? Air El ford : Oh, yes, it is common Air Chapman : Those are not excep tional examples? Giving a negative reply, ATr El ford said that all the vegetables he was displaying had been brought this week. The Aiinister: What does the inspector do? Mr Effonl: He simply inspects the fruit on the top. He is not anxious to dirty his clothes, and T don’t blame him. He went on to explain how, by the use of a kerosene tin. which was subsequently withdrawn, sacks were filled with large potatoes outside and small .ones inside. “'•ft’s quite an art,” Afr Forbes observed amidst laughter. Replying to the deputation, the

displaying had been bought this week. Minister said that apparently produce's were responsible for such evasions f what the law required. “I think it is a matter that ‘ ought to be put down very firmly,” he said. “It is false packing.” Air P. Eraser, ALP.: Of course the average producer does not use any but honest methods. Air Forbes: Tliat is so. There is no doubt about it. It is fraud and a ery nasty one at that. T shall go into the matter of inspection immediately and see how it is that our svsem is such as to permit that sort of ’hing and how we can check it. A member of the deputation said he lid not want to see the inspectors ‘got a blast.” Tt was impossible for Gieni to handle every sack. They bm 1 >ther duties to perform and they could not be in the market every day. He nggested that an inspec'or should be ermanently stationed in the market o that if there was any complaint it -on Id'lie ’eferred to him at once. Air Eorles agreed with the lioness'tv for standardisation and also added Mat it- seemed to him more inspection was required if the fraud was a common oractice.