LEMON GROWERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue LXXI, 14 September 1940, Page 6

LEMON GROWERS.

STATE OF INDUSTRY.

PUBLIC INQUIRY SOUGHT.

Difficulties which Auckland citrus growers have been faced with were discussed at an urgent general meeting of growers in the Auckland district yesterday afternoon.

Mr. S. W. House, who presided, said that the industry was in an unsatisfactory state. He recalled that 17 years ago the first citrus committee was callcd together, as the lemon industry was then in such a stage that some organisation had to bo instituted. From that time the quality of the lemons had improved, and they had been able to get some support from the Government in . connection with duty. The prices that growers were getting to-day were not payable, and there had been a big increase in the cost of labour and material. j On the motion of Mr. A. L. Aiekin, it was decided that growers should ask j for a reasonable price, or, alternatively, j should have the right to do their own | marketing. Providing Finance. Considerable discussion took place on a motion that Mic Government shot-Id bt requested to institute immediately a case levy on lemons, to provide adequate funds for the maintenance of a strong growers' organisation, to which every grower would contribute. Mr. F. Firth said that the)' had three different bodies in the province, all trying to bring forward the views of the citrus growers, whereas their only chance was to have one united body. The motion was carried. Mr. H. 11. Booth moved that a public inquiry into the lemon industry should be held. lie said that they had nothing to lose by an inquiry, and the public would know the real position. The motion was carried. The meeting decided to defer a proposal that the growers should set up a grapefruit and sweet orange section, to take adequate steps to prevent undue interference with the industry. Committee Appointed. The meeting decided to set up a working committee to report to another meeting with a view to appointing a new executive. A committee was appointed as follows: Messrs. S. W. House, G. Jackson, W. Booth, H. H. Booth, G. Barr, P. Sunde, J. A. Lambden and A. Greenbury. Finally, it was decided to support a resolution, carried at a conference last year, asking for a citrus council to be formed, and urging that every step be taken to bring it into effect.