MARKETING VEGETABLES

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5306, 30 July 1928, Page 1

MARKETING VEGETABLES

FALSE PACKING COM.EMNED. —< MINISTER’S DECLARATION. The introduction of regulations proriding for, the standardisation of vegetables so as to guard retailers against losses of goods purchased at the marts was sought by a deputation from retail fruiterers and greengrocers,, which waited upon the Minister of Agriculture (Hon. 0. J. Hawken) at Wellington last jveek. Mr. J. A. Campbell, Director of the Horticultural Division, Department.of Agriculture, suggested that the difficulty might be overcome' by the,. formation of a Fair, Marketing Association,, tire members of which would guarantee that vegetables were' of a standard quality. He admitted that, false packing was a very serious matter for, the retailers to contend with, but expressed the view that a system of standardisation would be very difficult to lenfoirce. The Minister said that the Government was not, anxious to impose unnecessary regulations, which to business people were, always more or less objectionable. However, he wag determined to ensure that as far as posr stifile business was carried out on reasonable and straight lines. False packing resulted in a dead loss to the trlader, and ultimately it was no good to the grower. False packng gave the trickster an advantage over the honest dealer. If the present regulations were not sufficient to meet the easy, of false packing then regulathat would meet it would have to be introduced. “It. seems to: me,” said fere Minister, “that ,we will have to put our foot down in such a way that the matter will be cleaned up. It is no good to anybody. I want it to be known publicly that this false packing must stop, it the present regulations are insufficient, then, we have to insist that fruit for sale, is exposed so that the quality may be judged by the buyers,. False packing is very riiuch like false weights and false measures, and it ils bad business. It’s' going to be a pretty big job to straighten things up, but I am quite certain that it will have to be done. I. hope that those concerned will take notice of What has been said.” .