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should, under normal conditions, provide for our own requirements, but leave little or no surplus for the good export market which shows every prospect of continuing for several years ahead. The Committee intends to continue its efforts to increase the area bv at least 200 acres. ; Unfortunately, owing to adverse weather, the crop just harvested (1946) has turned out the smallest ever recorded, and will probably not exceed 1,800 bales. This will be quite insufficient for brewers' requirements, and arrangements are accordingly being made by .the Committee to supplement it from North America. Raspberries Here again disastrous weather reduced the total supplied to manufacturers by the Raspberry Marketing Committee to 103 tons, compared with 190 tons in 1944-45 Growers' price for the past season's crop was increased to Bd. per pound. Endeavours to induce established growers to plant an increased acreage and endeavours to enlist more growers are being largely nullified by difficulty in obtaining labour. During the year the Raspberry Marketing Regulations were extended to give the Committee control of the bucket trade so far as sales by growers to resellers are concerned. This control was asked for unanimously at meetings of growers in all the Nelson producing districts, and, although at present only in the initial stages, gives promise of working satisfactorily. 5 Fertilizers Sulphate of ammonia, nitrate of ammonia, and muriate of potash have been imported by the Division in quantities sufficient to meet all requirements, and were distributed through the customary wholesale channels. Sulphate of potash, which is made available by the overseas authorities for tobacco-fertilizers only, is still in very short supply, and great difficulty is experienced in obtaining again the comparatively small quantity of 250 tons which is needed by New Zealand tobacco-growers annually. Molasses p l ® substantial stocks held by the Division proved particularly useful during the North Island summer and autumn drought. It has stocks on hand to meet orders during the next few months, after which the quantities likely to reach private importers under import licenses already issued are expected to meet requirements. APPLE AND PEAR SECTION The report of this section covers, as usual, the calendar year. The Fruit Marketing Council, whose establishment to work in association with the Division was described in the last report, continued to act during the 1945 season, its personnel remaining unchanged except that Mr. A. B. Congdon resigned and was replaced by Mr. H. J. Masson For a period Mr A. Sunde acted as substitute member during Mr. Congdon's indisposition. The Council is advisory to the Minister of Marketing in determining the policy for marketing apples and pears, and the Division is its executive authority for general marketing. • 8 Payment Procedure Before 1944 orchardists supplied fruit to the Division on a purchase basis, but when the Council was established the purchase scheme was replaced by a subsidy arrangement combined with a minimum guarantee. The guarantee is not to the individual grower but to the industry as a whole. The subsidy is fixed and applies yearly so long as the period of stabilization shall last. It.is to be added to market returns to meet all marketing transport, and other expenses, and the residue is to be paid to growers on a basis to be

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