AUCKLAND FRUITGROWERS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 236, 2 October 1908, Page 5

AUCKLAND FRUITGROWERS.

ANASSOCIATION FORMED. j

A meeting ef Auckland fruitgrowers was held in the Hall of Commerce this morning to discuss the question of forming a fruitgrowers' association. Some 20 were present, Mr. A. Sturgess being elected chairman. The chairman stated that the object of the meeting was to see if something could not be done to form a society which would act for the benefit of fruitgrowers throughout the North Island". He hoped that if this' was established, all would join heartily in the movement. In disputes with outside unions, associations, etc., the fruitgrowers were handicapped by having no organisation to support them. If such an association was formed they would hold a much stronger position. A Whangarei correspondent (a fruitgrower) had expressed himself in favour oi that project, and bad suggested that they have a delegate to the Chamber of Commerce. Mr. W. E. Ljppiatt stated that he had written to Mr. T. Kirk, Government Biologist, suggesting that Auckland should be represented by two delegates at the Melbourne conference, but this had not I been possible owing to the lateness of I the date. With the liability of disease in fruit coming in, and with the merchants I protesting through their own unions, it appeared that the fruitgrowers would have to have a union. Mr. J. Parr observed that it had been said that the Queensland fruit fly wouldnot live in New Zealand, and that there was no Mediterranean fly in the islands. ! The statement that the pest would not! live in New Zealand) had no weight on the ' evidence of the growers. Once it was ! admitted, they might as well give up the i growing. In the early days there were ] no such pests in New Zealand, yet now ! they had nearly everything with' the exception of the fruit fly. But thera seemed to be a determination on the part I of the brokers to do nothing to prevent j its introduction, and they would not give ! :up the least part of their Island' trade in order to keep out the fly. Unless the growers took action it might be too late in three months. In Australia, fruit was rotten from one port to another with the. fruit fly, and) the pest was gaining ground ' all over the country. Their movement ) was more in the interests of the pubac than anyone else. Imported fruit was never cheap fruit. They wanted ail fruitgrowers in the Dominion to take an interest in the concern. Several others pointed out the desirability of forming an association, one of these remarking that numerous individual messages had been sent to the Minister asking him to prohibit the introduction of fruit from infected countries. The general feeling was that an associa-1 tion would accomplish more than indi-1 vidual effort. Another of those present pointed out that unless action was taken their industry might be wiped out. They were quite right to mind their own business, and if | the island people could send clean fruit by all means let them do so. But their very work was in danger. It was also questioned by Mr Wilson whether it would be better to work the association on the lines of the nrevious body, with delegates from local "associa- j tions, or t 0 form it with individual mem- ■ bers. He would move that it be form- j ed with individual members. ! The motion was carried, it being also ; decided to make the subscription 6/ for i the first year, this to be increased if necessary. On the motion of Mr Houghman, it was decided that the name of the body be the Northern Fruitgrowers' Council.! Mr West moved: "That an association j be formed with chairman and executive, j to enrol members of the association, and ■ that the executive frame rules and regu- i J lations, to be submitted to a later meet- | i ing." The speaker said that it appeared ! to him best to have individual members j from all over the country. The motion ■was agreed to. The following officers were elected: I President, Mr J. Parr (OTatia); eonimit|tee, Messrs M. E. lippiatt lOtahuhu), E. ■J. Cairns (Avondale), W. Charman ( (Northcote), H. E. Sharp (Oratia), W.I Boyd (Albany), L. B. Beecroft (ML Albert), J. Collins (Tuakau), Karl (Waikato), E. Morrison (Warkworth), H. M. Buscom (Henderson), and L. Hanlon (Whangarei).