BUYING-IN

Hokitika Guardian, 23 July 1931, Page 5

BUYING-IN

AN AUCTION PRACTICE.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 21. Opposition was expressed at the Tomato, Soft Fruit, and Produce Growers’ Conference to-day te the legalising of buying-in, as proposed by the New • Zealand Fruit and Produce Auctioneers j and Importers’ Federation; I Mr T. R. Foster moved that such legislation be strenuously opposed by the Association, and he referred to tue recent decision given in the Supreme Court on the subject, lire buying-in, he said, was a bad thing for growers. He instanced a case where a grower had taken a consignment of potatoes to Wellington,, taking some to one auction-room and some to another. At the second room , the day’s market price of 14s was paid, but when he went back to the other the potatoes had been withdrawn, and he. was ipaid only Bs.' ... . ,a YY-YY'. ‘ Mr W. Copping ; alleged that there were firms in Wellington- which could be prosecuted for .illegal buying-in, but the producers could do nothing, as they had not the money'to fight vested) interests. The Otago fruit-growers and Wellington produce-growers were opposed to the proposed : legislation. Mr H, L. Falla, Christchurch, said the system had been the salvation of some growers in. Canterbury. Mr F. llushwoi’th: We have put few into , them at Chrjfitehureh. A The president, Mr; C, E. Pope, sold that some growers refused to put their produce in the market by the side of imported fruits 1 ,, and had: taken it to another auctioneer. .AsY y YA; Mr Foster contended' that if country buyers were represented In the market prices would be much higher than they were.. -, .A The president said the. Canterbury Association had given, instructions to opnose such legislation. The subject was referred to the various associations for consideration. '