THE PRICE OF FRUIT

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2094, 21 January 1908, Page 3

THE PRICE OF FRUIT

Ai,iekhmders have recently belli di.-dtii'bed concerning tho price of fruit in that town. Tlio NewsZoal\nd ‘'Herald” says:'—The question is frequently ashed by visitors, “Why is fruit, so dear in Auckland, when you have a sub I Topical climate?” and probably someone will remark, "Ob, the country won’t grow fruit.” The hitler statement is undoubtedly wrung, for Auckland district is .preeminently adapted to fruit-growing, but the fact remains that retail prices I'm' fruit are excessive for u city like Auckland. Yesterday peaches were marked Is to Is (id per dor,on ; apples 4d to Cid per lb; plums 3d and 4d per lb; grapes 2s to 2s fid per lb; and very ordinary pears at 4d per 11'. On the face of it these prices are excessive, and consequently fruit is anything but a common article of diet in Auckland homes. Tho trouble lies chiefly in the question of supply from orchards and in tho cost of distribution. The cost of tho distribution of fruit for the Auckland market is enormous. Firstly, there are the freight charges, then the caringlees, the auction room charges, and, lastly, the retailers’ prices. Tho price received by tho grower is nothing like what tho consumer pays, aDH it is evident that before tho fruit supply can ever bo on a satisfactory footing there will not only have to bo co-operation amongst growers. but also tho establishment of canning and preserving factories in every fruit district. Canning factories in operation would warrant largo extension of orchards, and the grower would then have an outlet for surplus fruit in tho height of tho season; and it has been tho experience that where fruit-growers are in co-operation, and have canning factories to supply, tho prices of fresh fruit on the markets have boon most reasonable, and a very largo share of the "middle” profits lias been eliminated. Taken altogether, the industry in Auckland gives promise of a splendid future, and it. will he worked on sound, commercial linos, giving good returns to tho grower, and the best of fruit at cheap prices to the consumer. Unfortunately, in-the meantime, the Auckland milllie is paying the penalty for the long delay there has been in Hie establishment of the industry.