FRUITGROWERS' CONFERENCE

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 113, 15 May 1925, Page 3

FRUITGROWERS' CONFERENCE

AUCKLAND PROVINCIAL ASSOCIATION MEET. EARLY CLOSING CRITICISED. In anticipation of the annual conference of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers' Federation which commences at Wellington on June 10, the Auckland Provincial Association held its annual meeting to-day. Delegates were present from all parts of the province, (iovernment representatives were: Messrs. W. T. Goodwin, Assistant Director: W. ('. Hyde (Horticultural Department), and P. Event, orchard instructor (Whangarei,, M. 11. E. Napier, secretary manager of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers' Federation, was also present. Mr. H. S. Izard presided. During the course, of his opening remarks the chairman, in referring to remits which had to be considered, drew attention to the "gooel old standby remits which came up year after year." He also drew delegates' attention to the proposed alterations to the constitution, which were of a purely administrative nature, and which had been brought about hy amendments to the Industrial and Provident .Societies' Act. Protest Against Early Closing. Continuing, Mr. Izard stated (bat he had received a strong protest against the early closing of fruit shops, from a retail fruiterer in business in a small way. Jt was advocated that strong measures should lie adopted in order that this "injustice" should he remedied. In the chairman's opinion the whole thing had been engineered by a few who did not care whether their shops were open or not. Coder present conditions it was a case of members not being able to sell their fruit. Mr. Izard suggested that a subcommittee should be appointed to take the. matter up with a view to having the present conditions altered.

Subsequently -Mr. C. O. Shuttleworth, Huapai Fruitgrowers' Association, moved: "That this conference of Auckland fruitgrowers view the extra early closing of fruit shops with alarm, as it is certain to curtail the retail of fruit, and pledges itself to support a fresh poll." Mr. G. O. Green, Citrus Fruitgrowers' Association, seconded the resolution, which was strongly supported by Mr. AY. S. House, Auckland Provincial Council, and carried unanimously. Bona-fide Fruitgrowers. Considerable discussion look place on the proposed definition of a bona-iide fruitgrower. This gave rise, to the question of the qualification for a director of the federation. Mr. Izard undertook to consider the matter when in Wellington in conference with other members of the board of directors.

The following resolutions in regard tr the proposed alterations to the constitution of the New Zealand Federatior were passed:—"That the constitutior of the federation be altered so as tr enable delegates to elect a director, oi directors for the district which they represent only, and that two director! retire annually." It was also resolved: "That the con stitution be altered by eliminating al trading concerns from being; repre sented on provincial conferences, as thc_, can obtain same by their members join ing fruitgrowers' associations." Remits to Dominion Conference. There was a large number of remit: to the Dominion conference. In this con nection the chairman said there wen many which could not be understood unti delegates to Wellington had heard tin various speakers on the subjects to lx disctrssiyl there. The particular remit, to which he referred have come froti all over New Zealand. Fruit Colour Standard. Under the heading "Export anc Government Guarantee," there was v remit from the itedwood's Valley (Nelson), which, however, caused somi discussion. It was proposed by tin Redwoods Association, "that the annua conference make it a recommendation tt the Control Board that the colon t I standards be reduced, and that coloui for striped varieties be abolished." Mr. Izard said that on account ol extra good packing, and also the coloui standard. New Zealand export fruit stood very high on the markets of the world Air. Goodwin, assistant director, stated that 10 per cent of colour was all that was required in the case of good grade striped fruit. Export Control Board. On behalf of the Huapai Association Mr. Shuttlecock moved to the effect that the Fruit Control Act be amended so ato allow all affiliated associations export ing 100 ca-ses or more, a vote in the election of the Kxport Control Board. The mover pointed out that if oneindividual exported ]()') cases lie unentitled to vote. In the ra-e of Huapai. fot instance, where the pooling system i- in vogue, 95 member- might happen ,o send 9000 cases into the packing -hid, and yet that group was only entitled to one "vote. Mr. Goodwin explained :!,;,' the A-:. as at present con-tiruted, provided lor producers to get t!„, votes and not the exporter-. If packing sheds were given voting power-, then fruit dealers and auctioneering firm*, which export fruit. would he entitled to vote for members lof the Board of Control. I fin a show of hands the voting for Und against the retention of the remit 'was equal, and the chairman gave his i casting vote against it.

Railway Fruit Trucks. It was unanimously decided to support, an Otagn remit that a thorough investigation 'should he made into the question of the most suitable railway truck for the conveyance of fruit. Out of this resolution it was decided to appoint a committee consisting of Messrs. F. Firth, E. K. Becroft, G. T. W. Green, and W. G. Williams, to intervirw the. local railway officials with regard to ventilated railway fruit trucks on the Auckland section The opinion was expressed that, if ail fruitgrowing associations in New Zealand would agree to the class of vehicle, required, the difficulty would soon !>c