HIGH FRUIT PRICES

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20507, 25 May 1938, Page 9

HIGH FRUIT PRICES

DIBPUTED BY MINIBTER BENEFITS OF REGULATION WELLINGTON. Tuesday •* It Is difficult to believe that a retailer should contend that ruling prices for bananas and oranges in Auckland are excessive under a regulated market. or that both these fruits are dearer to-day than they have been for some years.” said the Minister of Marketing. the Hon. W. Nash, this evening. # eomtnenting on an Auckland complaint. “ There are no grounds for the assertion that prices have been permitted to soar at auction under the Government’s scheme of regulation and that retailers have been placed in a false position with the public because the people do not appreciate the high prices paid by fruiterers and therefore expect cheap fruit. It can be. and has been, definitely proved, that tho prices of bananas in Auckland this year have been on a cheaper level than previously, due largely to the fact that since the Government took over in April this year the total quantity of bananas imported has been considerably increased as compared with last year’s figures.

"FAR BETTER OFF"

DUNEDIN FRUIT CONSUMERS

(By Telegraph.— \«sortattnn> DUNEDIN, Tuesday " The Dunedin public is better off than ever before as far as the marketing of fruit Is concerned," stated a member of the fruit trade to-day when asked to comment on the complaint by Auckland retailers that the Government scheme of control had had the effect of increasing the price of bananas and oranges. " Before Government control came into operation Auckland paid the lowest landed cost for fruit." he added, “ and the cost increased steadily by reason of the extra transport charges to southern centres.