DOMINION FRUIT ON LONDON MARKET

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 206, 19 November 1927, Page 12

DOMINION FRUIT ON LONDON MARKET

BROKERS’ OPINIONS IMPORTANCE OF PACKING Through a publicity campaign New Zealand is now' at the top of the English fruit market, in the opinion of the brokers. When he gave this heartening information to a meeting of fruitgrowers yesterday, Mr. C. Gray, London marketing officer for the New Zealand Fruit Control Board, emphasised the importance of packing in order that the Dominion might keep her present position. Mr. Gray outlined the publicity campaign, saying that travellers had been employed and booklets' leaflets and posters printed and circulated. The three main shipments of pears had arrived during the year. The lonic had arrived with its shipment in an “awful” condition, the Pakeha’s shipment had been patchy, and the Hororata had landed a very gootl shipment. The-fail-ure of the lonic shipment was due to improper packing. The pears had rubbed against the side of the trays and thousands were absolutely valueless. South African shipments, which always landed in good condition, were ■well packed in woodwool, like expensive chocolates.

Top price for the year had been gained by a Hawke’s Bay grower at 31s 9d a crate. It was found that the best of all travellers was the P. Barry. It was useless to send Vicar and Keiffer pears, as they were not wanted in England. MISTAKES MADE

Talking of mistakes, Mr. Gray said that shipments of Cox’s apples had gone to the West Coast and. northern parts, when they should have sold in London, where they would have brought a much higher price. Some growers had an undue proportion of their fruit taken to northern ports. There had been some complaints regarding the board’s policy. It had been said that brokers would not pay quickly, but they paid quicker than ever under the new system. Restrict ing the number of brokers had led to greater competition. Last season the Australian exports had been 1,000,000 cases less than usual, and there had been very little soft fruit on the English market. Growers should not always expect such a favourable season.

It had been suggested that a direct shipment should be sent to Hamburg. He did not consider this advisable, as the board was already building up a strong Continental trade through England. The advisability of pooling would have to be decided by the opinion of the majority of the growers. Reference was made at the meeting, which was presided over by Mr. S. Izard, of Henderson, to Mr. Gray’s retirement and to the appointment of Mr. H. E. Stephens, of Nelson. Mr. H. Paltridge, of Henderson, and Mr. P. Everett, orchard instructor, expressed appreciation of Mr. Gray’s services. Mr. Gray said that his successor was a most able man. Although firms in England were saying that New Zealand was the only Dominion which was marketing their requirements, there was still a great deal of work to be done. He offered to resign his position from the Control Board as he was joining a private firm, but the meeting decided to retain his services. COMPANIES REGISTERED Yesterday three private companies were registered in Auckland. Details are:*— Walter Lambourne, Ltd. Objects: To carry on the business of an ironmonger, hardware merchant, etc. Capital: £15,500, divided into £1 shares. Subscribers: Walter Lambourne, 15,494 shares; and Alan C. Lambourne, Cyril W. Lambourne, Arnold S. Lambourne, Alec D. Lambourne, David Fernie and Thomas M. Stebbing, each one share. Progressive Sales, Ltd. Objects: To carry on all or any of tl*3 businesses of farmers, graziers, dealers in land, stock and merchandise, etc. Capitaly. £I,OOO, divided into £1 shares. Subscribers: Arthur S. Winger, 100 shares; and Ella Iv. Winger, Lillian C. G. Winger and Mary Winger, 300 shares each. Ben. F. Cranwell, Ltd. Objects: To carry on the business of machinerv merchants, etc. Capital: £SOOO, divided into £1 shares. Subscribers: Benjamin F. Cranwell, 4,000 shares; and Marian Cranwell and Benjamin E. Cranwell, 500 shares each. SOUTHERN GRAIN MARKET Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Friday. There is a tendency for forward wheat values to ease. Six shillings, f.0.b., is still quoted, but to effect much business this figure has to be slightly shaded off. The Home market for peas has weakened slightly. There is no change in the value or inquiry for general seeds, and recent quotations hold in this respect. The cocksfoot crop on the peninsula has improved as a result of the recent rains.