AUCKLAND FRUITGROWERS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2109, 28 March 1914, Page 8

AUCKLAND FRUITGROWERS.

LAEGE MEETING HELD. ' (By-Telcsrajth—Press Association.)' ' Auckland, March 27. A. larger meeting of district fruitgrowers was held hero to-day to decide on some method of extending their organisation, and marketing-their fruit more' effectively. .... ' Mr. B. Tonar, manager of the Waitemata Fruitgrowers' • _ Association, pointed out. that _the majority of the fruitgrowing districts had local associations; but it was difficult to keep themactivo unless they attached themselves •to some kindred' body. Ho suggested, among, other things, that the executive could deal with the questions of uniform systems of grading and packing,_ control over shipping sj>ace, the opening up of new markets, additional powers of the Agricultural Department to prevent the exportation of fruit that would not reach 'its destination in satisfactory order, cool storage space in a glut of' the season, and tho removal of the wrapping paper duty. They wero not there to discuss the failure of tho New Zealand Federation, but lieicould not understand why no consideration had over been given to a feasible proposal made by Mr. Allan Wilson, which would ultimately bo a solution—namely, that each centre should work out its own system of organisation, arid tlio centres should'then federate., Tho only . two ways which he could 1 see of Tunning a Northern. Federation were: (1) By means of a new organisation with a "depot in Auckland/ and an cxecutivo with; a perinanenf secretary, or (2) by making uso of tho Waitemata Society. He drew attention to what he described as'the foundation' 6tone of ; the industry, namely, grading and. packing on/ practical lines by means of tho employment of competent men who would work under the control of the executive. Should they decide against securing the control of the packing, he could only see one alternative,_ .namely/ the middleman 'must stop in to this important branch of business and control tho export trade.