FRUIT. MARKETING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 December 1939, Page 8

FRUIT. MARKETING

GOVERNMENT TO TAKE OVER CROP AVERAGE OF FIVE SHILLINGS PER CASE. OUTCOME OF NEGOTIATIONS SATISFACTORY. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) NELSON, This Day. Mr H. E. Stephens, chairman of the New Zealand Fruit Control Board and of the joint conference of the Fruit Control Board and the New Zealand Fruit Federation in their approaches to the Government regarding the disposal of the coming year's crop under war conditions, returned to Nelson today after the successful conclusion of negotiations with the Minister of Marketing, Mr Nash. Me Stephens said various proposals had been considered, but owing to the difficulties surrounding the problem no suitable solution was found until the proposal outlined below was finally submitted by the Minister. Briefly stated, this is a scheme to take over the marketing of the present year’s crop as a war measure. This, marketing will be on similar lines to those pertaining in the dairy industry. There will be a schedule price, according to variety and grade, to work out at an overall average for the Dominion crop of 5s a case at the assembly point. Private sales to consumers will still be allowed.

Mr Stephens said the growers, after estimating their probable crop, will be able to work out approximately their position for the coming season and will be able to decide whether it will pay them to continue producing fruit. On an orchard with average commercial varieties and a decent production per acre, the grower should be able to carry on with these prices. The Marketing Board will take over the present staffs of the Control Board in New Zealand and in London and the board itself will act in an advisory capacity.