1921.] 



Grading and Packing of Fruit. 



323 



Association for their use if tliey decide to accept theiii. If 

 this growers' scheme should fail, it is recognised that [)ro!)al)ly 

 the next step of reform to be asked for by the retailers would 

 be legislation, wdiich in itself would mean some measure of 

 control of the industry, a matter which neither Government 

 Departments nor growers would welcome. 



Growers' Scheme. — It would be necessary for the Associa- 

 tion of Growers, having decided to adopt a scheme, to have 

 a large supply of labels printed and distributed throughout 

 the country by some organisation to individual growers, from 

 whom it would be necessary to obtain guarantees that the 

 labels w^ould be properly used and in accordance with the 

 conditions imposed. In theory it does not appear necessary for 

 the packing of the growers to be carefully inspected before the 

 packages are sent to the market, as the salesmen and retailers 

 would soon discover any discrepancies. The conditions attaching 

 to the use of the label would need the most careful consideration, 

 but on the following points most people are agreed : — 



(1) That the Growers' Association's name should appenr on the label. 



(2) That the label should only be used for certain agreed varieties of 

 fruit, and the name should be stated on the label. 



(3) That the grower before despatching the package^should state on 

 the hibel the number or name by which he is known to his Growers' 

 Association, the class, quality or grade of fruit within the package, and 

 the net weight or count of the fruit. 



These are essential points that the salesman and the retailer 

 can reasonably ask to know, and should be regarded as 

 indispensable. Provided that the label is only used in a proper 

 manner, no complaints would be received, a state of affairs not 

 likely to exist for long. Some people through carelessness, 

 and others through ignorance, might possibly use the label 

 for packages for which labels were not intended, and complaints 

 would arise. To trace the events as they are likely to occur 

 it may be assumed that those receiving packages of fruit bearing 

 these guaranteed labels, the contents of which do not comply 

 with the description on the label as to w^eight, variety, grade 

 or quality, would undoubtedly seek satisfaction from the 

 sellers of the goods, and in many cases adjustments would be 

 made. In cases of failure the matter w^ould, no doubt, be 

 reported to the Growers' Association named on the label, and 

 it would be necessary for the Association to make such investiga- 

 tions as are necessary, and attempt to eifect a settlement. If 

 unsuccessful, the matter can only be dealt with by arbitration, 

 and perhaps this is the most difficult part of the scheme to 



c 2 



