AUCKLAND CITRUS ASSOCIATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 137, 11 June 1926, Page 5

AUCKLAND CITRUS ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Members of the Auckland Citrus-Asso-ciation held their annual meeting today, when there was a good attendance. Mr. J. H. Davidson, of Tanranga (president), occupied the chair. He welcomed the members to the fourth annual meeting and expressed pleasure at seeing present officers of the Department of Agriculture. The president referred to the working of the "lemon pool/ , but said it must be admitted that the growers had not benefited. The trouble was having to compete with heavy importations of lemons from Italy. The citrus industry required protection. If they had to carry on another season like the | present one they had better get out of the industry as quickly a= they could, and take up something more remunerative to the grower. The lemon industry at Messina was practically carried on by women who, it had been stated in an English paper, were only paid 1/ per day. It was impossible for growers in New Zealand to compete against fruit produced at such a lew cost. Mr. Davidson expressed regret that four representatives from Tauranga were unable to be present, owing to the mishap to the steamer by which they were travelling. Poor Man Oranges. A question was asked regarding the origin of the Poorman Orange. Mr. G. A. Grien said an educated Hindu told him it was very similar to one grown in India. Mr. Green said personally he was of opinion that wherever it came from, the first seed oi the Poorman Orange was grown by Sir George Grey at Kawau Island. Annual Report. The secretary read the annual report, which, stated "there were 33 members, which was not aa large as the number of citrus growers. The report also referred to the great importations of lemons. The weight from Italy in 19-3 was 471,5651b; from United States 3375 ib; from Australia, 62S.0!KSlb. The report advocated either a higher duty on imported lemons, or a total embargo. The report was adopted. On the motion of the president, Mr. T. C. Scott was elected unopposed to fill that office. The following retiring members of the committee were reelected: Messrs. H. P. Bryan 'Tauranga). Henry Beecroft i Auckland i, and H. S. Ward (Henderson). Mr. H. P. Bryan, of Tauranga, was appointed a vice-president, also the retiring president. Mr. Davidson. Mr. H. s . Izard was re-elected secretary and treasurer.