THE FRUIT INDUSTRY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 201, 22 August 1912, Page 9

THE FRUIT INDUSTRY.

CONCLUSION OF CONFERENCE. (By Telegraph. —Prtss Association.) WELLINGTON", Wednesday. The Fruitgrowers' Conference was continued to-day. Mr. -Moffait (Nelson) moved: "That it in desirable, that the New Zealand Customs regulations should bo brought into line -with the. Australian Customs by-laws as regards fruit-wrap-ping pa/per, and woodwool for packing." The mojlion was carried. Mr. Nissans (Canterbury) moved: "That Government should ,be urgp<l to pass a bill providing that wherever a municipal market ie erected, the ajictioDeere selling fruit, fish and vegetables shall bo compelled to sell in that market." Mr. Neil (Hororwhenua) moved, as an amendment to add the ■words "and that such auctioneers should be prohibited from dealing and trading with fruit and such commodities.'' The motion was carried. In order to protect ,the novice orchardist from the misrepresentations at vendors of worthless spraying specifics, it was urged that the Government should experiment with different ' remedies lor insect pests. Mr. Tonar moved: "'That th« regulation now existing with .regard to imported fruit should be in no way relaxed." This was carried. Remits covering orchards and garden pests and the desirability of the Government ■proclaiming fruit areas for the batter control of disease, were taken together. The neglect shown by owners of small fruit areas to keep down pests was severely criticised. After a general discussion, it was resolved to ask tie (iJ&Y*>rnin<mt to proclaim special frtrit areas when applied for. i Mr. J. C. Neill (HoTOWßenua) moved: "That this conference protests against any attempt to pi-ace a duty on imported nureery stock-" The remit was carried unanimously. It was decided that the Government should bo asked to grant a substantial bonus for the discovery of an efficient remedy for woolly aphis. On the. motion of Mr. Wm. Moffatt, the conference affirmed the decision of a previous conference to enter a strong protest against the Government undertaking to plant gum lands with fruit trees by prison labour, and asked the Government to turn its attention to the planting of forest .trees suitable for case timber.

Air. T. M. O'Neill, of Wellington, attended the conference -to direct atlenf ion to the possibilities for trade in fruit ■with South America.

It was decided to meet at Wellington during the first week in September for next year's conference. It was roßoJved 'that the executive of (he. Canterbury Association should be the executive of the Federation for the ensuing year. The question of sending a delegate to the Australian conference was left with the executive. This concluded the business.