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REPORTS Retail Fruit-marketing Inquiry. I have the honour to report that the Industries and Commerce Committee has passed the following resolution :— " That the proceedings of the Committee during the taking of evidence on the inquiry into the marketing methods used in the sale of fresh fruit and vegetables be open to accredited representatives of the press. And that the Chairman do report this resolution to the House, and move the adoption thereof by the House." sth August, 1930.

No. 67. —Petition of W. A. Tate, of Greytown, and 32 Others. Praying for amendment of the Fruit Control Act, 1924. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the prayer of the petition, so far as it refers to voting, should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 10th October, 1930.

No. 138.—Petition of C. H. Mackay, of Upper Moutere, and 48 Others. Praying that all fruitgrowers' containers be exempt from the increased tariff. I am directed to report that the issue raised, being one of policy, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 10th. October, 1930.

Inquiry into the Marketing Methods used in the Sale of Fresh Prttit and Vegetables in New Zealand. Report in obedience to an order of the House of Representatives dated the 30th day of July, 1930, — That it be an instruction to the Industries and Commerce Committee to investigate the marketing methods used in the sale of fresh fruit and vegetables, New-Zealand-grown and imported from islands and other overseas countries, through the various channels of distribution from the grower to consumer ;• the methods of packing, grading, standardization, and transport to markets ; the rates of commission, receiving and delivery charges, cool-storage charges, &c., at present being made by auctioneers, merchants, and others, and system of accounting to growers ; the various methods of selling and displaying products in wholesale and auction marts, the margin of profits obtained by the various wholesale and retail distributors, and the method of displaying and selling to the public in retail shops ; such other relative matters as the Committee may deem desirable ; and, generally, to report whether present marketing methods with respect to the sale of fresh fruit and vegetables are in the best interests of grower and consumer ; and, if, not, what recommendations can be submitted by the Committee, the general adoption of which would result in more economical distribution, assuring satisfactory returns to grower and reasonable prices to consumer. I have the honour to report that the Committee has made exhaustive inquiries as far as time and circumstances would permit. It heard evidence from forty-four witnesses representing, as growers, auctioneers, merchants, and retailers, the following cities and towns : Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hastings, Palmerston North, Nelson, Greyt.own, Lower Hutt, Canterbury Province, Otago Province, Te Kauwhata, and Papakura. The evidence submitted to the Committee during the inquiry with respect to wholesale and retail practices obtaining in connection with the marketing of fruit and vegetables has amply confirmed the contentions frequently put forward in the past by both the producer and the consumer that the disparity between the wholesale and retail prices is abnormally great. The evidence has also confirmed to the satisfaction of the Committee the complaints made by the Fruit Retailers' Association, of Wellington and elsewhere, that unreliable packing—which sometimes amounts to fraudulent practices —is common with respect to fruit and vegetables offered for sale throughout New Zealand, and that such packing has hampered free trading to the detriment of the producer, retailer, and consumer.