CANTERBURY FRUIT

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 350, 10 May 1928, Page 10

CANTERBURY FRUIT

DUTIES ON IMPORTS ASKED FOR GROWERS IN BAD WAY (Special to THE SUN) CHRISTCHURCH, Wednesday. Allegations of unfair competition from the Cook Islands in regard to the importation of tomatoes were made by a deputation from the Christchurch Tomato and Stone Fruit Growers’ Association, which waited on the Canterbury members of Parliament this morning. The deputation urged that restrictions should be placed on the importation of Island tomatoes during the months of November and December. It was stated that in the Christchurch district there were 300 owners, with a total of 290 glasshouses. The amount of capital sunk in the industry was approximately £272,000. At times the price received was below the cost of production, out of which commission and transport charges had to be met. At a cost of lOd a lb. the growers were getting very near the bread line. It was suggested that restrictions be placed on Cook Island tomatoes during the months of November and December and that, for the protection of the public, all imported tomatoes when exposed for sale should be marked with the place of origin. It was said that Auckland growers were supporting the request for restrictions. DUTY ON APPLES Another deputation from the Canterbury Fruitgrowers’ Association urged that the duty on imported apples be increased to 2d a lb. all the year round. Mr. IT. Holland, M.P.: Can you supply the New Zealand market all the year round? Mr. F. Sisson: We have more than enough apples to supply the New Zealand market. In reply to Mr. D. G. Sullivan. M.P., Mr. Sisson said that if the duty were increased the price of the local apples would not be increased. Mr. Holland said the retailers complained that the New Zealand fruitgrowers shipped all their first-grade apples to London and left only the lower grade apples for local consumption. That was said to be the reason why the New Zealand apples were neglected. Mr. Sisson said there was something in what Mr. Holland said, but it did not apply to Canterbury, which was not an exporting district. If the duty on imported apples was increased the first-grade local apples would be kept for home consumption. The Canterbury growers were not receiving the benefit of the Government subsidy on the export of apples. It was not a fact that all the best fruit was exported. The fruitgrowers were only asking for an increase in the duty on American apples.