TOMATO GROWERS

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 2, 2 July 1929, Page 10

TOMATO GROWERS

REGISTRATION SOUGHT

MINISTER SYMPATHETIC

EATING BUEDENS

Registration was the chief subject discussed at the annual conference of the Dominion Tomato, Soft fruit, and Produce Growers' Association, Ltd., which commenced at the Dominion Farmers' Institute to-day, Air. C. E. Pope, the president (Christchurch) in the chair. It appeared that all delegates favoured registration, but each saw some difficulties in the way of presenting some basis on which it could be achieved and likely to meet with the approval of Parliament, especially as legislation would affect those outside the association. There was also a difficulty in' arriving at a suitable sliding scale and a minimum tax agreeable to all delegates. It was felt that 5s would be insufficient to achieve adequate assistance in marketing and advertisement, etc., while to fix the minimum higher would not be in the interests of the small grower. The effect of unimproved value rating in the neighbourhood of boroughs was deplored, some surprising instances being given. The Minister of Industries and Research (the Hon. H. Atmore) attended the conference, and there were also present Messrs. H. T. Armstrong (Christchurch East), H. G. R. Mason (Auckland Suburbs), H. B. Jenkins (Parnell), and A. Harris (Waitemata), M.P.'s. The following delegates were present:—A. Bloxham and Chas. J. Finirau (Christehurch), G. J. Baxter, J.Arthur Day, L. M. Ertraunt, and A. B. Inglis (Nelson), H. Stuart (Timaru), S. W. House (Auckland), T. F. Conway (Wellington Province), T. E. Foster and D. D. Robertson (Lower Hutt), Geo. A. Green (Auckland), and H. Firman (secretary). The discussion on the question of registration continued without finality till 11 a.m., when the Minister arrived, and the discussion was postponed, with a motion and two amendments still before the meeting dealing with the minimum tax and other matters. The chairman, welcoming the Minister, said that the business of the tomato growers was in a precarious state throughout the country; The council had been formed to put it on a better footing, and sought registration last year with a minimum fee of 10s and a maximum of £1. The Minister seemed favourable, but it was pointed out to the council that the funds could not be handed over to it, and that tho collection of the tax was an almost insuperable task. Mr. Green said that the industry, the value of which exceeded £500,000, was at a crisis. The 6ame position had occurred at Home, but the steps taken had turned a losing industry into a profitable one. There had been instances in this country where prices had not exceeded the costs of packing and carriage. Each grower should be registered, and a small tax, as in the case of the Fruit Growers' Association, should bo imposed, the revenue to be devoted to advertising, ancl fostering the business, stabilising marketing, standardising cases, etc., which would facilitate transport difficulties with the railways and others. A graduated tax was suggested. It was not a question of taxation without representation, as everyone was free to come into the conversation, and the work done would benefit those who, though taxed, remained outside the association. Mr. Baxter asked tho Minister whether their proposals were feasible. They could at present offer no definite suggested basis on which to operate. Mr. Fineran favoured a 10s minimum, but the returns, he said, often had no relation to the number of plants grown. They also wished the Earotongan tomatoes shut out for three months, in order to do justice to New Zealand growers who had built heated houses before tho Islands became part of New Zealand. Heated houses meant a certain amount of employinont. lusuranco against hail was another safeguard sought. Mr. Ingles supported registration, but thought that a lOsvuiinimuin was likely to block the necessary legislation. Mr. House stressed the need for registration to enforce honesty in packing and representation of contents. The chairman pointed out that much of the business was carried on close to towns where heavy rates were charged. In one Christchurch district a man was paying £50 under unimproved valuo for three acres of purely tomato-growing land. Mr. Robertson said that many to-mato-growers had been driven out of the Hutt district by rates. His land cost him £12 per acre for rates. The member: "Differential rating is to be brought in." Mr. Eobertson said tho position was impossible for\a man who.had built a house and glasshouse on his place. He had to find £200 a year before he could make any profit. Mr. Stuart gavo an instance of a man in the Timaru district paying £104 a year in rates on three acres. MINISTERIAL SYMPATHY. The Minister said he quite appreciated the importance of any industry which could be carried on by a man and his family, as was done largely in his district. He, ; and ho had no doubt all other members of Parliament, would rdo all they could to assist them. The reply of the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. G. W. Forbes) was not a definite refusal of their representations, but an objection to tho form in which they were put forward at the time. The refusal was to tho proposal "along tho lines suggested by tKe deputation,3l and there was a promise to consider any further representations. Personally he felt sure that they must have registration, and he suggested 1 a deputation to the Minister of Agriculture, at which he would be present. He was advised by Mr. Green that a recent cable had stated that America had voted £1,000,000 as a national step to eliminate the Mediterranean fly. Dr. Heck, of California, had mentioned many places were the fly was found, including New Zealand. The only satisfactory attempt to get rid of it had apparently been made in Texas. He thought it was in the interests of growers to broadcast tho news that the fly was not here at present. (Members: "It has not been here for years.") The statement should certainly be refuted, and care should be taken that by no chance could the Mediterranean fly be brought in here. In regard to rating, he was sympathetic. The importance of the. association could be gauged by the fact that they had over 8000 members in different associations. Eating on unimproved values, while it had its advantages, was manifestly unfair in some of its incidences, and it was detrimental whore a man was earning his living by producing fruit. In Nelson, where ah attempt was made to put all rating on unimproved value, he had taken the theatre, and it had been defeated by 1200.t0 400 votes out of a total of 2800 on the roll. "Where it had been carried in Christchurch the voting had represented only a small part of tho roll, 596 for and 512 against out of a roll of 16,000. Rating on unimproved values had something to recommend it where the land was required for building purposes, but there should be a clause that would put the finger.on the right man^

and not spread the system to cover all individuals. A commission was set up to inquire into the position "of all farm lands in boroughs, and he understood that legislation would be introduced this session to remove some of the heavier incidences. ORGANISATION NEEDED. Mr. H. T. Armstrong, M.P., said that he would give growers all the assistance possible. He thought the proposed registration fee of 5s was too small, and should be increased. Funds would be necessary and it might be advisable to have a journal and an organiser. If they were going to have an organisation, let it be a good one. Transport was one big question for the growers on account of the perishable nature of their product. Ho was not aware until to-day ■ that Christchureh had so manj' growers, as shown in a report tabled, and if all parts gave similar statistics it would strengthen the association's hands when making representations to Parliament. Ho thought he would be able to support all tho claims of the growers until he came to the proposed embargo on Island tomatoes. If he wero in the position of a grower he would not press for that too strongly. He did not think they could secure the embargo with the Government as at present constituted. Mr. Atmoro-invited tho delegates to call at Parliament at any time. Mr. A. Harris, M.P., said it must bo recognised that the industry was an important one, as a good living could bo made from a. small area of ground. Without registration very little could be accomplished. Referring to importation of tomatoes he said that there was the matter of food supply to consider, and-it must be remembered that the Cook Islands were now a part of New Zealand. \ THE BUSINESS VIEWPOINT. Mr. H. E. Jenkins, M.P., saia thero were no fruitgrowers in his district, and so he could only speak as a business man. : He would say, generally, that it was not necessary to produco tomatoes on land worth £500 an. acre, and suitable for. subdivision. It would seem that growers would be driven out of city suburbs. He thought a high protective tariff on sauces and chutneys would be helpful to growers, who could then use their surplus. Mr. Pope said that the grower was outside the city for a time, but cities crept out on top of them. Mr. H. G. R. Mason, M.P., stressed tho necessity of variety of industries to give, outlet to energy and initiative. He agreed that it was unlikely that growers would secure the abolition of rating on unimproved value. Ho also thought that they would have difficulty in getting-a'restraint on the importation of Cook Islands tomatoes. He advocated judicious advertising by the association, stating that the success of the Californiau fruit industry was based on good advertising. In answer to a question Mr.. Mason said it might be possible to make the Island grower pay for something if the association advocated the greater nse of tomatoes. The members of Parliament were thanked for attending and for their promises of support.