DAMAGED FRUIT.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4931, 27 January 1926, Page 3

DAMAGED FRUIT.

AN UNSATISFACTORY DEAL. 14(1,000 CASES INVOLVED. A great 'blow will’ be struck. at tlie prestige bf the Australian canned fruit trade if allegations, concerning the quality of the 1925 pack, which recently reached England, are confirmed. Messrs W. Weddell .and Company, who purchased 140,000 cases of Australia’s exportable surplus, have sent protests to the Commonwealth Government and to the Victorian packers.’ organisation alleging .that the quality is vastly inferior to the quality of the 1924 pack. i It has’ been ascertained that a pref liminary inspection showed that a proportion of the fruit was “mushed” or gone green and unsaleable. The immediate attention of the Commonwealth authorities is considered necessary in order fully to investigate the position and to arrange .that only the best shall reach the consumer, because the name which the 1924 pack established must be maintained. It is understood that - Messrs Weddel and Company have .arranged-for a further independent examination in the presence of representatives of Australia 'House and of the packers, . and independent experts finally to determine whether and to what extent pack is unsatisfactory. " The consignment consists of pears, peaches, and apricots valued at between £1'50,000 and £200,000, which came from Victoria} New South Wales, and South Australia , and which were shipped from Melbourne on a Government certificate guaranteeing quality. It is undertsood that the pears were entirely sound, but a, percentage of the peaches and apricots were very badly “mushed,” or green, some apparently having been packed when under-ripe and others when over-ripe. It is suggested that if the allegations are well founded the Commonwealth should withdraw the unsatisfactory portion rather than risk damaging", its prestige by allowing the > sale of inferior goods. is thought Uh at .the explanation may be that home-consumption fruit was’ despatched instead of export quality, which is superior both in grading and packing.