FRUITGROWERS CONFER

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 225, 23 September 1927, Page 9

FRUITGROWERS CONFER

TAfHFF PROPOSES APPROVED CASE CHABGIHG ABANDONED.

COOK ISLANA TpM^TQES.

~ At. to-day's, .meeting of the /Auckland Provincial Council the 'President (Mr. W. S. House), said that the new tariff proposals had not been altogether just what fruitgrowers had hoped for,'but still a good deal had been gained. "The ,, , extra'penny per lb on foreign-grown lemons will in itself be of much assistance, to New Zealand citrus growers," he continued. "With a twopence, per lb duty igainst the foreign article there should be every inducement to the growers to pull together and place on the markets a first-class, well-graded, and .properly cured product. ,, . Local Markets- > ; Largely owing to there being no proper grading' system, and no effective advertising scheme, little could be done regarding: local markets. As a result poor price* had been the rule and the near approach of the first Canadian apples saw very large stocks of Xew Zealand apples-in cool stores unsold. "Surely the time has .come," said the president, "for our growers to get together, and arrange,, tinder a. guarantee a system of -grading and standard .packing for local markets. 'This would enable a system of 'cooperative advertising to be carried i out, and;, an effective 'eat more apple campaign , to be set in motion." / No Charge For Cases. On the motion of, Mr. C. Ballantyne, seconded by Mr. W. J. Rodgers, it was decided' to abandon the charge for: fruit cases. •• ' . ■ . . j ' . Island Tomatoes. Mr. suggested that an endeavour. ' should be made to keep Island tomatoes out during the months of November .and .December. and assist them irii other ways, such as using power to have a higher protection on citrus importations from outside New, Zealand. . Asked, for his opinion Mr. W. H. Rice, Government orchard instructor, said he thought the month of December should be ruled out because it was the butt end of the Island, season and no doubt similar conditions applied to November. To his mind there was just as much competition • amongst New Zealand tomato growere, if not'more than that from the Islands. He suggested the ■ formation of a tomato-growers' association to be affiliated to the -Auckland Provincial IVuitgrowets' Couneil. i , - Mr. H. '' Paltridge moved and Mr. Ballantyne seconded: "That the executive take steps to. organise a tomato -grower a,' association." .7 , ; , «

The motion was carried unauimously.