Proposed C.I. Fruit
p. 66 · Read in the full issue
Board
Native Growers Meet
From Our Own Correspondent RAROTONGA, December 29.
THE suggested Fruit Control Board has now taken definite form in the shape of an organised series of public meetings among native growers in the various dis tricts. The first of these was held in Arorangi, Mr. Goodwin, Director of Agri culture, and a keen advocate of the pro posed Board, being present by request to answer questions regarding the scheme.
Whilst agreeing that the industry was in a parlous condition, growers expressed fear on several points, principally that under the new arrangement it would be impos sible to obtain their customary credit against future shipments, and that were the control of shipments removed from the local agents (who are also the store keepers) the latter would press them un duly for past debts. A general timidity was also apparent in the attitude of speakers that the Administration might not approve of the Board.
Mr. Goodwin, after removing many of the doubts expressed, went on to point out that growers, through the Board, might perform all the services now n by the buying agents at a much smaller cost. He showed that whereas low prices are unavoidable when the market is bad, the market cannot possibly be called “bad” when —quoting a recent example—the price in New Zealand was 19/- per case of oranges, although the grower here only received 7/- a case. Growers would no doubt do better to market through their
own Board and get for themselves the pro fits now going to the middleman.
At the conclusion of the meeting a peti tion to the Minister was read out and afterwards signed by the large majority of those present. A few growers did not sign, being chiefly influenced by a fear that should the Board be established its mem bers would be nominated locally, instead of elected. Opposition to a nominated Board was general and unanimous at all meet ings.
Four square behind the scheme are the smaller business houses and traders who do not act as fruit buying agents. To them the prosperity of the grower is all important, for on him their existence mainly depends and not, as is the case with four or five larger firms, upon the commission drawn by them on fruit bought for N.Z. distributors.