Fruit - Prices

Date: 5 Jul 1996 - 7 Jul 1996 - 05 Jul 1996 - 07 Jul 1996

From: A taste of gold oral history project

By: McGinnis, Cecil Molyneux, 1910-1999

Reference: OHInt-0446-08

Description: Mon McGinnis was born at Earnscleugh in 1910. Recalls buying his orchard from Andrew (Andy) Davidson and being on the orchard about thirty years. Describes growing mainly apricots, particulary Morepark and Roxburgh Red. Recalls having the biggest walnut tree in the southern hemisphere on his property. Describes rabbiting, mainly at Earnscleugh Station, in addition to running the orchard. Comments that rabbiting was more lucrative. Describes the role of his wife in feeding staff and packing fruit. Briefly discusses other aspects of orchard life. Comments on his frustration with orcharding. Interviewer(s) - Janis Morgan Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-008563 - OHC-008564 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s). 1 interview(s). 1.30 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-2667.

Date: 28 Jul 1996

From: A taste of gold oral history project

By: Duncan, Anne, 1933-; Morgan, Janis, active 1997

Reference: OHInt-0446-02

Description: Anne Duncan was born in Dunedin in 1933. Mentions that her mother was Isobel McArthur from Strath Clyde and her father, Geoff Taylor, grew up on the family orchard in the Conroys Gully area. Gives details about the Taylor family. Comments on the influence of both the Taylor and Dawson grandmothers in establishing the orchard. Describes how Granny Dawson acquired the trees for the orchard by bartering produce. Talks about the location of the orchard. Describes the original house on the orchard, `Rosevale', the cottage and `Knowl Top' which was built in the 1920s. Recalls the vegetable garden, flower garden, tennis courts and shrubbery. Describes how her mother was the main caregiver for the children, cooked for large numbers on the orchard, worked in the packing shed and was active in the local community. Describes how students working on the orchard were treated as family members and became lifetime friends. Recalls tennis parties and swimming at Conroys Dam. Recalls the role of her father in orchard planning and management and his involvement with the DSIR. Talks about his having gone to Ruakura after high school before returning to the orchard. Mentions the orchard was part of the research station at Earnscleugh and he attended meetings in Wellington. Describes how the seven children in the family attended boarding school either at Waitaki Boys High School or Craighead. Recalls helping on the orchard as children, going rabbiting and smashing birds' eggs to reduce the number of birds. Discusses the orchard's reputation for quality over one hundred and thirty years. Mentions that Taylors and Iversons were the first orchardists in the area. Recalls stone cottages built by Chinese miners in the area. Mentions the film `Illustrious energy' which was made in the area. Describes how they began producing the Dawson cherry and gives details of other varieties of cherries. Mentions apricots, peaches and nectarines. Comments on her father's willingness to experiment. Describes cultivation and spraying. Comments on the absence of protective clothing. Recalls the use of frost pots from the 1940s to 1960s to prevent the effects of frost on the fruit. Describes how labour intensive this system was and its replacement by overhead sprinkler systems. Describes how the picking was done with a box being worn around the neck by the picker. Comments on different pay rates for male and female pickers. Describes how fruit was graded and packed. Recalls the beginning of fruit being flown directly from Alexandra to the North Island by Bristol Freighter. Mentions that this no longer happens. Describes the role of Turners and Growers in this process. Discusses how decisions were made on sending fruit to the various markets. Recalls family holidays at Warrington. Interviewer(s) - Janis Morgan Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-008552 - OHC-008553 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s). 1 interview(s). 2 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-2660.

Date: 3 Sep 1996 - 03 Sep 1996

From: A taste of gold oral history project

By: Hanning, Stanley Jeoffrey, 1911-

Reference: OHInt-0446-04

Description: Stan Hanning was born in Owaka in 1911. Recalls arriving in Alexandra on foot in 1929 and going to work for Taylors in Conroy's Gully. Describes his preference for rabbiting over orchard work. Mentions that his father died when he was one and his mother brought up five children on a widow's pension. Describes living for a number of years in a stone hut built by Chinese near Conroy's Dam. Mentions Chinese man Lye Bow. Comments on the warmth of living in a stone hut. Talks about Scott McFarlane also living in a hut and mining during the Depression. Recalls either walking or riding a horse into Alexandra. Discusses local residents at the time including Alec and Evie Taylor, Andrew Davidson, Mon McGinnis, the Mathesons, Struan Robertson and Les Alexander. Mentions that he moved out of the hut in 1934 when he married. Describes buying and living in Lord Locke's cottage where he planted four hundred fruit trees. Describes the trapping of rabbits in detail. Comments that when the rabbits were killed off the noxious weeds, including briar and matagouri, returned. Discusses working for the Rabbit Board as a result of a `killer policy' adopted. Describes how he earnt a great deal more money as a freelance rabbiter sending three or four hundred rabbits off in a bag to Wright Stephenson's in Dunedin. Describes how the rabbits were gassed down their holes, shot or killed with strychnine carrots. Discusses climate change, the pulling out of fruit trees and the glut in the market which has meant that fruit prices have dropped. Interviewer(s) - Elaine Gough Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-008555 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s). 1 interview(s). 1 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-2662.

Date: 1967-1984

From: Kennedy, Ronald Edwin, 1925-2003 :[Original cartoons, albums of clippings and a metal printing plate, created by and belonging to Ronald Kennedy (Ronken), ca 1967-1983]

Reference: A-456-294

Description: Cartoon by Ronald Edwin Kennedy depicts Adam and Eve standing behind some bushes next to a tree around which a snake coils. The snake is labelled "Apple and Pear Board" and Adam looking angry says to it "Not at 20 cents a pound!". Signed "Ronken.". References the biblical story of Adam and Eve and the snake that convinced them to eat the apple. Refers to the high prices for apples which were controlled by the Apple and Pear Board. Title supplied by Library Quantity: 1 original cartoon(s). Physical Description: Black ink drawing, within frame, 274 x 278mm.

Date: 2010

From: Kedgley, Susan Jane, 1948- : Papers

Reference: MS-Papers-11241-023

Description: Comprises material concerning the Green Party growers survey. Includes survey questions and answers, handwritten notes, emails and articles responding to release of the growers survey results. Quantity: 1 folder(s). 0.01 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Typescript

Date: 2012

From: Hubbard, James, 1949-: Digital caricatures and cartoons

By: Setford News Photo Agency

Reference: DCDL-0020075

Description: A man reads in a newspaper report that food prices are going up and is not bothered until he reads that beer prices are rising also. Context: DB Breweries announced plans to increase its beer and cider prices by an average of 3% The cartoon compares the public reation between price increases in food items and beer. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).

Date: 2011

From: Hodgson, Trace, 1958- :Digital cartoons

Reference: DCDL-0019541

Description: The cartoon is titled 'Party time'. It shows Prime Minister John Key holding an iced cake in the shape of New Zealand which he can't wait to slice up. It shows opposite the Labour leader Phil Goff who holds a pie that is said to be 'GST free'; he says 'Sink your teeth into our lovely fruit & vege pie topped off with flakey policy... I mean pastry!' Jumping out of a teapot labelled 'NZ First' with the 'NZ' crossed out, is leader of NZ First, Winston Peters, who shouts 'I told you I'd be back!' Context: the run up to the 2011 election. The two main leaders make their promises, John Key to sell assets and Phil Goff to make fruit and vegetables 'GST free'. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).

Date: 2010

From: Winter, Mark, 1958- : Digital cartoons published in the Southland Times and other papers

Reference: DCDL-0014764

Description: The cartoon shows a barcode with the words 'Supermarkets' above it; the 'ets' at the end of the word has been crossed through to be replaced with 'ups'. The words 'Code of conduct' appear behind the barcode with the word 'bar' inserted in front of them. 'Sue-per Watchdog' (Sue Kedgley) watches from the sideline. MP Sue Kedgley sparked a controversy over vegetable and fruit prices when she said a survey found supermarkets were marking up produce by up to 500 per cent while growers struggled to survive on the prices they were being paid by the two big chains. She has called for an investigation and suggested a code of conduct and an independent watchdog for supermarkets. The 'ETS' (Emissions Trading scheme) refers to the suggestion that prices have risen in part in response to the Introduction of ETS at the beginning of July which required a taxation to offset carbon emissions. A second cartoon on this theme is at DCDL-0014765 Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).

Date: 2010

From: Darroch, Bob 1940- :[Digital cartoons published in the Whangarei Report]

By: Whangarei report (Newspaper)

Reference: DCDL-0017652

Description: A woman clears up her fruit and vege stall after selling out of everything. A shopper going into the supermarket complains about having to pay &6.95 for a kilogram of carrots when the stall owner was charging only 99 cents. The supermarket employee promises the woman that he will charge only 99 cents when he has sold out. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).

Date: 2010

From: Winter, Mark, 1958- : Digital cartoons published in the Southland Times and other papers

Reference: DCDL-0014765

Description: The cartoon shows two oranges, a carrot and a banana as the features of a face - each of the fruit and the carrot comment about their increased value as humble fruit and vegetables - this being great for self-esteem - but that Greens' woman now wants to take it all away with a code of conduct. MP Sue Kedgley sparked a controversy over vegetable and fruit prices when she said a survey found supermarkets were marking up produce by up to 500 per cent while growers struggled to survive on the prices they were being paid by the two big chains. She has called for an investigation and suggested a code of conduct and an independent watchdog for supermarkets. The 'ETS' (Emissions Trading scheme) refers to the suggestion that prices have risen in part in response to the Introduction of ETS at the beginning of July which required a taxation to offset carbon emissions. A second cartoon on a similar theme is at DCDL-0014764 Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).

Date: 2010

From: Clark, Laurence, 1949- :Digital cartoons

Reference: DCDL-0015732

Description: A couple are working in their garden growing fresh vegetables and fruit. The man comments that leader of the Labour opposition Phil Goff has said that if he is voted in in the 2011 election he will remove GST from fresh fruit and vegetables but the woman replies that she doesn't think they should give up growing their own any time soon. Refers to the rise in GST from 12.5% to 15% on 1st October which in spite of tax cuts makes food bills for those on small or fixed incomes more expensive. Phil Goff has vowed to remove GST from fresh fruit and vegetables if Labour wins the 2011 election which at the moment seems an unlikely prospect. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).

Date: 2010

From: Hawkey, Allan Charles, 1941- :[Digital cartoons published in the Waikato Times].

Reference: DCDL-0015685

Description: A Labour politician tells a small audience that if they are voted into power in the 2011 election they will axe GST on healthy fresh fruit and vegetables. A man in the audience wonders why GST should not also be axed on healthy running shoes, sardines, laxatives and gardening equipment. Refers to the raising of GST from 12.5% to 15% from 1st October 2010. Labour has said that if they are voted into power in the 2011 election they will axe GST on fresh fruit and vegetables. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).

Date: 2010

From: Hubbard, James, 1949-: Digital caricatures and cartoons

Reference: DCDL-0014769

Description: The cartoon shows a woman pushing her supermarket trolley; her head spins as she reads 'Broccoli 2 for a mortgage' and sees 'short term finance', 'loan application forms' and 'Lay-by terms' being offered beside the vegetables. The fruit and vegetable area in the supermarket is called 'Fruit & Gouge'; a second version shows the fruit and vegetable area in the supermarket described as 'Fruit & Veg'. Refers to Green Party MP Sue Kedgley's calls for a negotiated supermarket code of conduct to ensure growers received and consumers paid a fair price for their fresh fruit and vegetables. The Green Party alleges that supermarkets were marking up fresh fruit and vegetables by as much as 500 per cent, while growers were being forced to sell their produce for less than it cost to produce. Unfair marking up is referred to as 'gouging'. Quantity: 2 digital cartoon(s).

Date: 2010

From: Nisbet, Alastair, 1958- :Digital cartoons

Reference: DCDL-0015736

Description: Shows leader of the Labour opposition Phil Goff with vegetables growing all over him. Text reads 'Labour to axe GST on fruit and veggies?...' Someone comments that 'poor Phil has been behind so long that he is starting to vegetate'. Refers to the rise in GST from 12.5% to 15% on 1st October which in spite of tax cuts makes food bills for those on small or fixed incomes more expensive. Phil Goff has vowed to remove GST from fresh fruit and vegetables if Labour wins the 2011 election which at the moment seems an unlikely prospect. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).