NEW PRODUCE MARKET

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 75, 26 September 1923, Page 4

NEW PRODUCE MARKET

MARKET GARDENERS' COOPERATIVE CO.

TE ARO STATION SECURED.

The Registrar of Companies registered last week a new company, "Market U»rdeners, Ltd.," which has been formed as a direct outcome of the dispute which caused the breakaway of the H\itt Valley, Manawatu, and Wairarapa marked fardeners from the Associated Fruitrokers of Wellington. Last April the associated brokers notified the growers that the practice of returning sacks and cases gent in by the growers would be discontinued. This resulted in the growers deciding to market for a definite period all their produce through a firm not connected with the association. In the meantime an abortive conference was held with the association. Proposals were made to the growers by an established firm to give them an interest in the business, but this the growers rei jected, and finally, after giving the eulv ject mature consideration, those interested decided to form a co-operative company for the purpose of disposing o£ market garden and other produce by auo twn. Mr. D. K. Pritchard was appointed organiser. The difficulty of securing suitable premises was overcome by, the assistance of the Government, which, decided to place the old Te Aro railway station at the disposal of the new company. This building „ at present being vacated by the Military Medical' Stores Department, and is capable- of being rapidly transformed into an efficient market. The organiser reports that he has been very successful in obtaining share capital, and that the company occupies a strong position m regard to the business which it nag been promised. The Chinese growers have very largely availed themselves of the opportunity ft becoming shareholders, and special provision has been made to give them a representative on the directorate, which is composed of seven persons. Mr. D. K. Fntchard ha s been appointed manager