FRUITGROWERS.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20629, 19 August 1932, Page 16

FRUITGROWERS.

CANTERBURY ASSOCIATION.

EXPORT TRADE URGED. The Canterbury Fruitgrowers' Association met last night, Mr E. Freeman presiding over a good attendance. The chairman welcomed several visitors from the Kangiora Association. Mr N. Goldsburv, secretary of the Eangiora Association, in acknowledging the welcome, said that the president, Mr M. C. Ormandv, had asked him to apologise for his absence. Supply of Cases. Mr W. E. Davidson icported regarding the supply of fruit cases and the probable prices. Cases would be available both for export and for local use at SJd delivered, with a discount of 15 per cent, if paid for by the end of the month, and each month after there would be a reduction of per cent, on that amount. If the regulations permitted of a two-piece end, or a twopiece side there would be a further reduction of J,d a- case. Consequently, with discounts, cases would be delivered for less than 7d. This was about as food a price as they had been getting. He had been careful to point, out to millers the exact effect of the regulations and the millers had promised to do their very best, and were reorganising their mills in the hope of being able to cope with the demand. The millers were going as hard as possible. He thought that fruitgrowers were in a very satisfactory position as regards cases." The price of cases for local purposes would be the same as for those for export purposes. Replying to the chairman, Mr Davidson said that, the quotation given was from one miller: the other millers' quotations were a fraction above it. 'Address on Spraying. Mr B. G. Goodwin, Government Orchard Instructor, gave an address on spraying. He recommended Bordeaux mixture, to be applied at green tip, in the following strength: 81b of bluestone, 61b of unslaked lime, and 40 gallons of water. Oil added to Bordeaux mixture definitely controlled red mite up to the beginning of March. The oil also softened the bark and so allowed the buds to burst forth easier. After applying Bordeaux the next spray was lime-sulphur, but it must not be applied 011 trees until three weeks after the last application of Bordeaux. He gave the different strengths of limesulphur and recommended that arsenate of lead should be applied with this spray to deal with leaf-roller. Some discussion ensued regarding the application of arsenate of lead with lime-sulphur, the chairman stating that, he never used arsenate of lead with lime-sulphur.

Mr E. A. Stead said that he had used it twice in fifteen years, and 011 both occasions the foliage was badly burned. If he grew apples for a hundred years he would never use it again. Mr Goodwin said that for th'e past three years the spray had been used on the Styx Company's orchard, and he challenged anyone to prove that there had been, any burning. They had a 300-gallon tank and the spray was applied fairly rapidly; it took about three hours to empty the tank. After Mr Goodwin had replied to a number of questions he was aecorded a vote of thanks by acclamation. Necessity for Export. The chairman said that a pressing question was how they were going to sell their crop. They were increasing production, but their market was disappearing,' the same thing applied to every branch of the farming industry. AN wanted to send their surplus Home, but it was doubtful if the overseas market was going to absorb the surplus. It was no use thinking that they were going to continue feeding the local market and get on all right. They must look for outside markets. Even this year, when they were supposed to have a light crop, the market was glutted. If they could get rid of their autumn fruit it would not be so bad; if they held on to it they did not know what would happen to their Sturmer crop. A member: You have got the Dominion mark. The Chairman said that as far as the local market was concerned it did not matter whether they hsd the Dominion mark or not; if there was an oversupply prices could not be maintained. What was needed was that they should organise for export. He did not know if the Government was going on with the guarantee. Mr F. W. Cone said that they had their own guarantee, up to £9OOO, which was called upon before the Government guarantee was available. The chairman said that just now prices were unprofitable because they were putting too much on the market. Mr Frank Sisson agreed with the chairman's views, and said that it was important that the Dominion should get rid of one-lialf of the crop overseas seeing that the economic conditions had curtailed the purchasing power of the people. With large shipments of oranges and other fruit coming to the Dominion the people could not absorb the New Zealand-grown fruit crop He suggested that a committee should be set up to go into the whole matter. Mr N. Goldsbury said that of the total production of four million cases, Nelson* expected to export one million, leaving three million ca'ses to be consumed by a million and a half of people. To make a success of the industry they must get the fruit to the people of the Dominion. The Dominion mark scheme was increasing the price to the people. No proposition was submitted to the meeting.

IMPEDIMENTS TO TRADE.

REMOVAL URGED. (press association jelegjkau.) AUCKLAND, August 18. The council of the Chamber of Commerce to-day approved of a remit urging the Government to free New Zealand trade at the earliest opportunity from some of its impediments by a downward revision of tariff on both British and foreign goods; ( "I 'the removal of the duty surtax; (c) the removal of restrictions and embargoes on the import and export of certain commodities; (d) the curtailment of the powers granted by Order-in-Council to Customs and other Departments, which result in uncertainty and hinder commerce. The council also approved of a remit urging a reduction of the trade barriers between Australia and New Zealand, and urged that endeavours should be made to negotiate with other countries on a suitable reciprocal basis.

The Chamber also decided to suggest to the Prime Minister that the Goverum ;>it should instruct the Hon. \Y. Downie Stewart, before returning to New Zealand, to visit the United States with the object of negotiating a trade agreement.

Concerns merchandising products ot good quality ' can develop the un J paralleled sales opportunities in Canterbury most effectively and most economically "through the advertising columns of The Press.