OTAGO FRUITGROWERS.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 1690, 12 June 1929, Page 6

OTAGO FRUITGROWERS.

DELEGATES CONFEK AT DUNEDIN EEMITS FROM OTAGO DISCUSSED. ! . The annual conference of delegates to the Otago branch of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers' Federation was Held at Bunedih on Wednesday of last week. Mr H. Turner presided over the following delegates: Messrs G. Swan (Upper Clutha), A. O. Bridgeman (Bipponvale) S. A. Stevens (Clyde), J. E. Laing, C. Weaver, C. 'M'lntosh (Central "Otago), J.' H. Waigtli, jun\, E. George,' J. B. Gilmoiir, R. Kinaston (Teviot), L. C. Tonkin, J. T. Morrow (Ettrick), A. M' Donald (Taieri), J. H.. Hinton (Otago Fruitgrowers' Association), D. Leslie (Otago Provincial Couiicil), G. Bennetts, E. Pinder, W..8. Kenworthy, A. Ashwortli and E. Jeffries (Otago Cooperative Fruitgrowers' Association).

Prior to the commencement of the business of the meeting a difficulty 'arose on the question, of representation. The right of the, Otago Co-operative Fruitgrowers, Ltd., to have representation at this particular conference had been challenged on several grounds. The secretary of the New. Zealand Fruitgrowers' Federation in Wellington had Submitted the question to the solicitor of the federation, who had given his opinion that the representatives of the Otago Co-operative Fruitgrowers' Association had not been legally appointed. Some exception was taken to this opinion, but the ehairman held that he must of necessity.be guided by the board's solicitor, and ruled accordingly. He agreed, however, to allow the representatives of the association present to join in the debates, but refused to recognise their right, to votey

At this stage, the conference adjourned for lunch, and on resuming, the association's representatives expressed the opinion that : they were being unfairly treated, and withdrew from 'the meeting. The delegates from the Ripponvale, Upper Clutha, Clyde and Central Otago Fruitgrowers' Associations, with the exception of Mr C. Weaver, supported this view, and also retired in sympathy. After welcoming the visitors, Mr T. C. Brash, president, and Mr H. E. Napier, secretary, of the New Zealand Federation, j the chairman moved that the conference approve the annual report and balance-sheet of the federation^

Mr Brash said that the directors could feel reasonably satisfied with the year's work. The.standing of the fed-, eration had improved financially and otherwise, the year's working resulting in .-a profit of £4OOO. He hoped that thetime was not far distant when there would be a growers' branch in Dunedin. To deal with the margin of profit in the future a proposal had been brought forward that 60 per" cent, of 'the profits should be accredited to the individual growers in proportion to their trading with the association. The money might not, however, be paid out for years. The aim of the proposal was, of course, to give . the individual growers an interest in the association. In dealing- with the rural credits he stated that fruitgrowers had not been able to : take advantage of the Bill. A scheme was on foot-to enable growers to take advantage of the legislation by guaranteeing them.—Report adopted.

Messrs H. Turner and C. Weaver were nominated for the position of director, Mr Turner being elected. The following delegates to the conference of tliejrederatiou were elected: Messrs J. B. Gilinour, D. Leslie, J. Wing and A. O. Bridgeman. Provision was made that if Mr Bridgeman were disinclined to attend Mr G. Moodie should be appointed in his stead. : The conference then went on to consider remits to the Dominion Conference which numbered 115.

"That hawthorn be brought under the provisions of the Orehard and Garden Diseases Act in commercial fruitgrowing areas."—Mapua Fruitgrowers' Association. Mr Brash stated that the possibility of fireblight attacking Otago orchards should be given consideration. It would be advisable to set up committees in the various areas. Then some educational work could be done so that it could be recognised and eradi- ■ cated. It could be kept in cheek, but as it became out of hand it would ruin the areas.. Mr J. B. Gilmour said that the Teviot Association had set up a Vigilance Committee. Some of the growers welcomed the committee but others took up a very different attitude. The association came to the conclusion that unless the 1 committee, has some official standing it would be better not 1 formed. The work should be done by the orchard inspectors. Mr W. Goodwin (assistant director of horticulture) said that there was not much hawthorn in Central Otago, and all the comj mittoes could do was to try to have it taken out. Asked what would be done if fireblight were" discovered' in hawthorn, Mr Goodwin stated that if itwere in a fruit area the owner would be required to have it destroyed. -It was decided to support the remit. "That the annual registration orchard' be discontinued seeing that the certificate of registration" is printed on ■the back of the'orchard* tax demand.'•'. Bangiora Fruitgrowers' Association. Mr Goodwin "said that the Government already had legislation in hand'dealing with the •point. 1 . It Iwas proposed to have -permanent registration. The present system was just as great a nuisance to ;the -Government officers as it was to the grpivers.

the Government be ..asked to subsidise the first 10 tons'of apricots dried in New Zealand."—rCentral Olago fruitgrowers' ■'Association."'' Mr G; Wearer stated that there was already

a good market for dried apricots lii New Zealand, £50,000 worth being sold annually. Dominion growers, however, could not compete with ,the imported article at its present price. It was decided to support the remit. ' "That Cleopatra and Dunns be per.mitted for export to South America.'? — Etriek Fruitgrowers' .Association. Mr Tonkin stated that formerly fair j prices were obtained for these varieties lin South America. Otago could grow them, and the. market should be available. The Agricultural Department's j attention should be drawn to the matter, •Mr Goodwin stated that there was a danger of flooding the market. There was a limited market in Brazil, and if the matter was left to the Control j Board it might be able to send a ecr- _ tain quantity. It was decided to sup- . port, the remit.

"That good grade be permitted for Continent.''—Ettriek Fruitgrowers' Association. Mr Napier said that a few had been shipped on trial this year and possibly there would be a better market next year. The meeting was in favour of the remit. Nine remits from various associations urging that the Government be asked to impose a substantial duty on 'imported jams, fruits (dried and canned) and .fruit pulp, with a view to limiting their importation, were considered together. Mr Turner said that this question had been dealt with very !comprehensively in the directorate, which had decided to take the remits forward from the Dominion Coufereneo to the department.—The " remits were approved. • The directorate brought forward a remit suggesting that the Government be requested to introduce legislation making it compulsory for all imported fruits exposed for sale, having the country of origin marked on. them. Mr Brash said the directorate considered this a fair thing to ask, as it felt that it would assist the consumers if they knew where their fruit' came from.—Approved. "That the use of second-hand cases for carriage of fruit be prohibited'' was a remit submitted by the Ettriek Fruitgrowers' Association. Mr Brash pointed out that this remit was somewhat idealistic, and, in fact, was impracticable.—lt was., decided .not to support the remit. ■ * The Henderson Fruitgrowers' Association submitted the following remit: "That the question of freight rates on shooks be taken up with the Bailways Department with a view to a,reduction." Mr Turner said that the directorate had taken this matter before the Railways Department, and had received very, little.sympathy, After all, it cost as much to draw a ton of shooks as a ton of anything else.—lt was agreed to oppose the remit. '' That the interests of the fruit industry would be better served if the offices of the secretary of the federation and secretary -to i the Export Control Board were separated. "—Tasman Fruit Packers, Ltd. Mr Brash said he, personally, was in favour of the position as it stood. The present system cut down expense, and made for better unity and team.work, and he felt that the industry was better served by this method. There was no justification for the remit which if carried would t put additional expense on the industry.— It was decided to oppose the remit. "That included in the federation balance sheet be a separate 'account, showing in i full detail the actual costs of handling the export business." I "The Fruitgrowers' Federation fur-' nish, when requested,. a return giving full particulars as to salaries, trayek ling allowances and expenses paid to directors and each member of . the staff."—Hills Fruitgrowers' Union. Mr Brash said it was impossible to set out the details of the cost to the federa-. tion. In regard to the second remit/] the principle of broadcasting the salaries paid to the staff was, he considered entirely wrong and was altogether unfair to the members of the staff.—The meeting agreed with this view and opposed both remits, and two others along similar lines were also opposed. "' : ' ' "That private owners of motor trucks be allowed a total loaded weight of two tons and a-half, instead of two tons as at present, before being liable for heavy traffic license fees."— Hawke's Bay Fruitgrowers' Association, Ltd. Mr Tonkin said he would prefer to see the total loaded weight increased to three tons, and it was agreed to support the remit with this amendation. "'That the good grade label be brought more into line with fancy and extra fancy, ap the present label lias a most unattractive appearance.''— Taieri Fruitgrowers' Association, Ltd. Mr M'Donald said lie would go further

than the terms of 'the remit and say that the good grade labels at present used were an absolute disgrace.!— The remit was approved. Mr Napier spoke at length in* explanation of proposed new rules. lie stated that an alteration was to be made in the system of representation and the election of delegates to pro-, vincial. conferences. Growers could be, nominated only .through ono society,! and dual representation would be .done away with. Under other rules the federation was given wider powers ill regard to the investing of its funds,. and were designed to assist fruit-'J growers to take advantage of the Rural Credits Act.. A further new rule gave the directors power to allocate 60 per ;ent. of their profits to purchases from the-federation of trading goods. ,-The lirectoi'S weregigiven power to exclude iny particular item. The money would je retained until the directors felt that the scheme could be carried out. A further proposal confined .." bona fide 'ruitgrowers''. to: payer of the orchard :ax. The proposed rules were approved.