PRODUCTION OF VEGETABLES

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22768, 21 July 1939, Page 16

PRODUCTION OF VEGETABLES

GROWERS* REGISTRATION URGED RESOLUTION OF ANNUAL CONFERENCE IPBR3B ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON. July 19. There was piracy to a considerable degree as far as market gardeners in his district were concerned, said Mr J. J. Hume (Manawatu), when the compulsory registration of growers was being discussed at the annual conference in Wellington to-day of the Dominion Council of Commercial Gardeners. There were certain primary producers in other branches, such as dairy farming, who went in for vegetables at a time when they were easy to raise, and when it was also easy to produce a glut on the market. There was an instance last year of several farmers who sowed an area in peas, intending if the crop was not good or the prices low to thresh it and use it for fodder. Peas were Is 9d a peck the day before the peas from this crop were put on the market. It went down to Is 3d with their appearance. This was piracy from a section of primary producers who enjoyed at least some protection in the form of a guarantee of their expenses and the cost of production. This commercial growers did not get. Mr J. C. McDowell (New Plymouth) said that the Taranaki growers supported compulsory registration, and wanted “backyard” growers included, with a 40-hour week. There was even greeter competition from this section. He knew of instances of borough council employees on £6 a week competing with growers at uneconomic

prices. Without registration there could be no control over grading or the class of produce placed in the markets, said Mr E. Scarrott. (Bay View). He had seen tomatoes put on the market which a proper grower would not place in his shed. They were called sauce ♦rimatfwm but if a grower gave them to his wife for this purpose he would set a sharp rejection. * A Franklin delegate said that there were farmers who used their employees to grow potatoes and other vegetables in their spare time, and their produce did not make the grade. There were men on large salaries also competing with bona-fire growers. Potatoes sent in by these sections were frequently dug too soon, and the auctioneers did not want them. . J . Mr Robertson (Auckland) said that registration would prevent the present practice! of Chinese, and other Asiatics sending In produce to the markets under different names. . The president (Mr B. V. Cooksley) faid that they did not want to prevent anyone growing vegetables for marketing. He wanted this to be clear. All they desired Was that all growers should conform to the same sets of regulations and labour laws. Registration was also Important because the Department of Labour could not apply the labour laws if it did not know who the growers were. In the same way the Department of Agriculture could not watch the growers of pests and so on if' they did not know who and where they were. ' . Mr Copping (Levin) said that registration was essential in case of a national emergency. , ... Mr H. E. Combs, member for. Wellington Suburbs, said that registration would work in the direction of giving the public a bettor article, and it would allow control of the industry. He favoured the organisation of the employer and the employee. It brought about hfH»r conditions on both sides.’ On die motion of Mr C. E. Pope (ChristchurchMt was decided- that the conference' affirm the principle of' the registration of'all growers, and urge the Government to take steps to secure this at the earliest possible date. * mmmmmnm ■ - F‘ : ’. - r '\ ELECTION OF OFFICERS

onus iMoeunoi WELLINGTON, July 19. The - Dominion market gardeners’ eanflercnce was opened to-day by Mr WtP. Mr B. V. Cookaley (Hutt Valley) presided, and u- w k. Dallas, director pf the fMfMwi of horticulture of the DepartSSStSrf Agriculture, gave an assurance of co-operation by his department. Offlccrsclected were;— President, Mr Coofcsley: vice-presidents, Messrs A. Btoaharo (Christchurch) A. A. Currey (Auckland) A. E. B ™ u « h directors. Messrs Bloxham, H. Empson (Auckland) A. B. Inglis (Nelson) FFerretti (Hutt Valley) E. Scarrott (Bay Vjfew) J. J. HunTc (Manawatu), A. C. Tucker., (Wanganui), F. M- Wright (Outrun) B. Denniston CPukekohe), J. C. McDowell (New Plymouth) C. R. Besdey (Otahphu).