WINDFALL” PEACHES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 48, 27 February 1939, Page 6

WINDFALL” PEACHES

OFFERED IN WRONG CASES WHAT REGULATIONS DEMAND SAFEGUARDING THE INDUSTRY "Il is false economy to sacrifice quality for quantity regardless of the price, and this applies particularly in the sale of fruit," remarked Mr. L. M. Estcourt, instructor in the Department of Agriculture, when asked by the "Chronicle” regarding the position in the wholesale and retail fruit business. “The purchaser can obtain quality fruit without the prices being loaded with an extra charge as a result of the requirements under the regulations,” he said. Mr. Estcourt pointed out that instances had been noted of fruit being marketed in other than the standard cases stipulated under the fruit regulations issued in 1938 and immediate action was taken. Tomatoes in banana cases, windfall peaches in apple cases, assorted fruit in cardboard cartons, kerosene tins, sugar bags, benzine boxes and empty strawberry punnets—there were instances of growers contravening the regulations. The purchaser, too, was liable under the regulations, said Mr. Estcourt, for the Act laid it down that registration of orchards was compulsory. and that nobody, was allowed to sell fruit unless his orchard was registered under licence issued by the Department of Agriculture. "The farmer with a few fruit trees can still given of his abundance to friends in the city or elsewhere, and can bring the fruit in any container that he cares to fill, hut he must not offer the fruit for sale, whether in shop, in auction mart or by door-to-door canvassing," remarked Mr. Estcourt in conclusion. “The regulatiort safeguards the orchardist, the retailer and the purchaser.”