APPLES & PEARS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 December 1942, Page 2

APPLES & PEARS

GOVERNMENT PURCHASE PRICE AVERAGE OF 5s 3d A CASE SUBJECT TO INCREASE IF COSTS RISE. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELINGTON, This Day. The basis on which apples and pears are to be purchased by the Government through the Internal Marketing Division was announced last night by the Minister of Marketing, Mr Barclay. The arrangement made is for the duration of the war, but in the event of a general order increasing other means of remuneration the fruitgrower ’ will also receive an adjustment in price. Mr Barclay said the average purchase price would remain as for the 1942 season, namely, 5s 3d a bushel case, subject to the usual conditions in force during last season. The Minister explained that in accord with the gen-, eral policy of stabilisation the overall average of the price schedule could not be increased above 5s 3d but adjustments in variety grouping or grade differentials could if desired still be effected provided the final result did not "exceed 5s 3d average. ‘’The Government will compensate growers for increased costs to the extent of an average amount of 9d. a case, this amount to be distributed to producers so as to ensure that the relative return as compared with last year is irrjproved by 3d. a case more for pears than for apples,” said the Minister. “The Internal Marketing Division will arrange to make these adjustments twice monthly throughout the harvesting season. “This arrangement will constitute the stable purchase price basis for the duration of the war. Should it become necessary for the Government to extend the purchase of fruit to minimum grade quality, the determinatfion of the purchase basis shall be a matter of negotiation with the industry. “In making this decision advantages have been taken into account which will accrue to the industry under the plan of economic stabilisation recently announced, among these being (a) an understanding that growers’ costs' on an approved schedule will be held at a determined level; and (b) in the event of a general order by the Court of Arbitration increasing other means of remuneration the farmer will also receive an adjustment in his price.” Mr Barclay expressed the hope that this decision would give a substantial measure of the industry. He confidently anticipated the continued co-operation of the fruitgrowers. The Minister said the above arrange-' ments were embodied in a letter which the Prime Minister Mr Fraser, had sent, to the Fruitgrowers’ Federation.