ENG-1952 — Page 98

HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT, 1952

area are sold wholesale by a Vegetable Marketing Organization, the aim of which is to ensure that the vegetable grower receives a fair return for his labour. It is intended that in due course this organization, like the Fish Marketing Organization, will become co-operative enterprise.

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The Organization undertakes the collection and transport of vegetables from collecting points in the New Territories to a central wholesale market in Kowloon. In the main production areas collecting depots have been established, and farmers operating through them may leave their vegetables in the hands of the Organiza- tion's staff who look after the vegetables until they are sold in the market. The proceeds of sales (less a 10% commission charge) are taken back to the depots and collecting points by the same staff for distribution to the farmers.

The marketing scheme was originally instituted under the Defence Regulations. As the scheme has proved of such benefit to both the producer and con- sumer it was considered desirable to enact permanent legislation, and during the year the "Agricultural Products (Marketing) Ordinance, 1952" was brought into operation. This Ordinance provides for the appointment of the Director of Marketing who is made a corporation sole with power to acquire and dispose of property. A feature of the Ordinance is the appoint- ment of a Marketing Advisory Board, consisting of the Director as chairman and four other persons nominated by Government who have wide and practical experience of the difficulties and needs of the farmers.

The quantity of vegetables handled by the Organ- ization continue to increase steadily. In 1951, it dealt with 39,775 tons of local vegetables and 13,639 tons of imported, with a total wholesale value of $18,960,670.

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