FRUIT INDUSTRY

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 291, 4 September 1931, Page 10

FRUIT INDUSTRY

Control Board Meets LAST YEAR’S RECORD Question of Guarantee Problems in relation to the fruit industry in New Zealand—growing, marketing and distribution —were discussed at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Fruit Export Control Board, which was held in the Dominion Farmers’ Institute yesterday. Mr. A. M. Robertson, acting-chairman, presided. During the afternoon a visit to the conference was made by the Minister of Agriculture, Hon. A. J. Murdoch, Messrs. E. F. Healy and Colonel T. W. McDonald, M.P.’s, and Dr. C. J. Reakes. DirectorGeneral of Agriculture. The Minister of Agriculture said that it was a matter for gratification that new records for marketing had been made during the 1930 season. A total of 380,000 cwt of apples had been exported from New Zealand last season. Not only had new records been made in the apple export trade, but also in the pear, cheese, butter and lamb trades. The figures for these commodities in 1930 were: Pears, 19,000 cwt; butter, 1570,000 cwt; cheese, l,901,000cwt; and lamb, 6,923,167 carcases. He wished the growers good prices this year, which would greatly increase the wealth of the community. Mr. Murdoch read a cable message from the High Commissioner in London headed "For the Fruit Conference now sitting.” It was: “Our apples are definitely established and have obtained a widespread and strong market throughout Europe. I strongly urge the following arrangement next season: Continuance of the present distributing system, especially early season’s, even if the quantity per boat is less. Maintenance of the present standard of packs. Retention here of the present representation for a fixed period to reassure the trade and preserve continuance of policy.” “There is a lot of sound advice there," the Minister said. Uncertainty of Guarantee. On the question of the Government guarantee the Minister said that the aim was to dispose of that guarantee ultimately. It was not fair, for the Government to pledge itself to a definite guarantee in times like the present when finances were difficult. It was absolutely imperative that the Government should know what it was going to spend throughout the year. In the ease of a guarantee, one year it might be £5, while next year it might be £5OOO or £lO,OOO. It was an uncertainty which a financial Minister did not like to have. That was the reason why it had been arranged that within a fixed period ahead a continuity of policy should be maintained, so that in time the guarantee could be eliminated, and the industry could then stand on its own feet. In the interests of the finances of the country they must take every precaution to play safe. Mr. T. C. Brash said that he hoped the Minister meant that the guarantee would cease as far as the payment was concerned, but that it would remain for the purpose of finance for the growers. The Minister said that he did not mean that they would be in a position where the industry would be carrying the responsibility on its own shoulders, but it seemed to him the cover -would remain. Now On Solid Basis. The Director-General of Agriculture referred to the way in which the industry had tackled its problems in the past, and said it was now reaping its reward by being on a good solid basis. It was a great record over a limited number'of years. It seemed to him that one factor which had helped to place the industry on its present good footing was the success which had attended its export business, and he thought that the board was to be congratulated on the system it had adopted for that purpose. The board had set out to do everything it could to ensure that the fruit shipped wasiof high selling quality. Quality always was a keystone of success in the trade in any primary products. The marketing was an excellent example of business cooperation of producers at one end, and businessmen at the other. Mr. E. F. Healy, M.P. for Wairau, and Colonel T. W. McDonald, M.P. for Wairarapa, both spoke, wishing the industry all success in the future. CONCERN OF BOARD South American Market At the opening of the conference the chairman, Mr. A. M. Robertson, referred to the concern which the board felt about the South American market, saying that the exchange was against New Zealand, the duty had been increased, and new regulations were a serious obstacle. The position now. was that if a boat-load of fruit arrived in South America, and disease were found, say, only in one case, the whole consignment would have to be destroyed. The board would have to think very seriously before sending fruit there under the new conditions. South America had been a very valuable market which absorbed large-sized fruit. Tlie board’s agents there were still hoping that it would be possible to continue sending fruit. Dealing with the board’s activities m Canada, Mr. Robertson referred to the loss through codlin moth in the fruit from one district, and the failure ol Jonathans to carry well. They had begun to wonder what was wrong with the Jonathans, or rather the carriage of Jonathans. The conference proceeded to deal with a lengthy list of remits affecting the industry. Personnel of Board. After considerable discussion, the following remit was passed:— , That the Fruit Control Board Act he amended to provide for representation on the board as follows, viz.: North Islana, two (2) members: Nelson, three (3) members: Marlborough and Canterbury, one (1) member. One Government nominee to be resident in each island. The present basis of representation is inequitable, 1.e., Nelson, with an export of 815,000 cases, finds £OOOO of control levy. Marlborough and Canterbury, included with Nelson, find a total of, say, £O3OO. whereas the total for the North Island is, say, £2500. In moving the adoption of the remit, Mr A. McKee, Nelson, said that circumstances to-day were entirely different from those when the board was formed. Government Nominees. On the motion of Mr. A. Forsyth, it was decided that, the Government be requested to terminate the present Government nominees' appointments, to make appointments in the future for three years, and to appoint one nominee from each island. Mr. Forsyth said that he did not wish anyone to think that the remit was a criticism of the present Government nominees. The object was to make certain that the nominees would be in touch with the growers in each island. Mr. E. H. Williams, one of the Government nominees, said that he and his fellow nominee, were appointed to represent the Government; in other words, the whole of the Dominion. Mr. D. A. Neal, the other nominee, had done nothing while on the board that could be snid to be against the interests of Nelson. or any other part of New Zealand. He was qifte prepared to withdraw from the board if the growers desired. His aim I;nd always been to place the business of the board on a better footing. | Mr. Neal said that if the hoard had i any bins at nil it was toward Nelson. j Further discussion on the question was taken in committee, the two nominees being asked to leave tho room. I