TOMATO GROWERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 43, 20 February 1929, Page 9

TOMATO GROWERS.

i DEPUTATION TO MINISTER. MANY MATTERS DISCUSSED. A deputation representing the whole of Xew Zealand waited upon the Hon. G. W. Forbes, Minister of Agriculture, during the week-end in " reference to matter? affecting tomato growers ami others. The deputation comprised the following members of the Tomato, Soft Fruit and Produce Growers" Association: Messrs. C. E. Pope (Christchurch), president; Geo. A. Green (Auckland): D. D. Robcrt«on (Hint Valley): W. Copping and D. R. Foster. Mr. Green, who returned by the Limited express this niorniiijr. said the deputation had placed before the Minister certain facts with reference to the registration of tomato growers throughout the Dominion, their relief from taxation <>n the lines sucrpested by the IH2S Feilding Commission and the taking of steps, to prevent the introduction of the fruit fly in shipments of Island fruit. The Minister was also informed of the necessity to organise the tomato and similar industries on the same lines as the Fruitgrowers' Federation, thereby introducing the orchard tax, standardisation of case, the standardisation of packing and grading. and a system of advertising to avoid gluts on markets. In reference to the fruit fly, it was suggested to Mr. Forbes that as Xew Zealand was reported to be free from that pest at the present time, and as there was no doubt that it could and would live here if allowed in, strict precautions should be taken to prevent the pest from coming in from overseas. The Minister made a sympathetic reply to the deputation and stated he would place its representations before Cabinet.