FRUITGROWING.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 119, 22 May 1928, Page 9

FRUITGROWING.

FAIRLY PROSPEROUS YEAR.

PENDING DOMINION CONFERENCE.

AUCKLAND GROWERS MEET.

The Auckland provincial conference of fruitgrowers, held as a preliminary to the 12th annual conference of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers' Federation, which will be held at Wellington on June 13, opened proceedings this morning. Mr. H. S. Izard presided.

The annual report and balance-sheet which are to be presented at the annual conference at Wellington were discussed. The report states that as in previous years the accounts are shown under three headings and the expenditure has been allocated on the usual basis. The principal work of the federation is divided into three departments—export, trading and general work in the interests of the industry. It was reported there was a fairly substantial increase in the trade of the federation. The sales for 1927 totalled £75,485 16/1, as against £58,917 7/11 in the previous year, an increase of £18,568 8/2 on last year's turnover. The establishment of branch offices in Auckland, Hawke's Bay and Nelson helped in securing the increase in trade. The directors hope the increase will be extended in 1928. The gross profit amounts to £7210 7/10, not a high margin for the risks which have to be accepted in this class of business.

The balance-sheet indicated that 1927 was a fairly prosperous year for the industry. The directors considered the position very satisfactory. The net profit on the year was £2613 0/2, and this amount has been transferred to the accumulated capital account. The report stated that although the business of the federation was rapidly increasing both in export and trading this did not mean that the interests of the industry were being neglected. The other work performed in assisting growers, watching that legislation enacted does not adversely affect those engaged in the industry, obtaining legislation required, carrying out the instructions of conference as defined in the remits passed and in the dissemination of information have all been given attention by the directors, and the growing strength of the organisation makes possible more effective work. The report and balancesheet were approved.

The conference proceeded to consider the lengthy list of remits which will be discussed at the annual conference at Wellington.