CO-OPERATIVE FRUITGROWERS

Evening Star, Issue 18394, 1 October 1923, Page 6

CO-OPERATIVE FRUITGROWERS

TURNOVER DOUBLED IN FOUR

YEARS

SOME PROBLEMS,

In addressing the sixth annual meeting of the Co-operative Fruitgrowers of Otago at Clyde, the Chairman (Mr Bennetts) said that in 1919-20 their turnover was £58,000; in 1920-21 it was £79,000; in 1921-22, £85,000; and this year they had touched nearly £IOO,OOO. Members would see from these figures that the business was a steadily increasing one. _ Another evidence of their expanding business was the quantity of fruit handled. This year 415.000 half-cases were handled, as against 342.000 tho previous year. Four years ago the number of cases handled was 214,000, an increase during that period of 100 per cent. In tho Cromwell and Clyde district climatic conditions had militated against fruitgrowers during tho past season to some extent, but this was unavoidable. Fruitgrowers generally had to take into consideration a great many things in connection with the industry. Pruning and thinning were matters of moment, and deserved greater consideration than ivas generally given to them. He ventured to say that this might to some extent have accounted for tin poorer quality of tho fnut put on the market during tho past season. The object of both those operations was to get a good return of fruit of good quality. They must also crate well and pack well. The opening of the Otira tunnel had made possible a good market for Otago fruit on the West Coast, and this should not bo lost sight of. They had to remember that in increasing their supplies they were going to bring about oversupplies. This state of affairs had happened in tho United States and California forty years ago. They had to remember that this country imported something like £IOO,OOO worth of dried and preserved fruits last year. They grew thus same kind of fruit here, arid the question was were they going to allow this importation to continue. They must find ways and means of stopping this importation, and it might be necessary to hike drastic steps to do so, but it had to be done. Australia was dumping its fruit into this country at a much cheaper price than they could produce it here. It might be that they did not grow tho right varieties, but if that were the case they had to see that they got tho right varieties. They had not got to the stage of dehydrating yet, but it was their duty to approach tho Government and secure assistance. Tho Govern ment of this country was assisting tho Australians to tho detriment of the fruitgrowers of tho dominion, and this must not he allowed to continue. Ho thought it was their duty to petition tho Hon. W. Downio Stewart and protest against this dumping. Referring to tho overseas business, he considered that this had been particularly well managed from tho society’s Dunedin office. He thought it was a business from which a considerable amount of profit could bo made. Ho suggested that they should send this message to Australia in connection with working up a trade with the Commonwealth. With regard to pooling, ho know there was a difference of opinion. Some thought.that their packs wore better than their neighbors’. He realised that the packing was not all that could bo desired. Ho personally had seen packs which were not a credit to those responsible. As far as apples were concerned, ho felt that they had reached a slago when they wore producing more apples than they could consume in this country, and on top of this tho Americans wore putting apples on tho market at 25s a case. The apples of this country must have priority. Members must bo loyal to their own .society, and should use it for their own trade purposes. They had now reached a slago when New Zealand had achieved tho honor of being in the first rank of growers, and they must see that they maintained that honor. (Applause.) They wore now in the happy position of being tho finest apple producers in tho. world. (Loud applause.) A good deal had been said from time to lime about the South American market, but they must remember that this was a very precarious market. However, so long as they could make satisfactory financial arrangement-; ho advised (hem lo use (his cut,let ior their products. OFFICE-BEARERS. Tho election of office-bearers resulted ns follows:—Directors —Mr John Bennetts (Goal Creek), Mr R. Joffris (Oaniaru), Mr I). Leslie (Ettrick), all re-elected; auditors, Messrs R. Hanning and E. J. G. Johnston. DUMPING FROM AUSTRALIA.

Mr A. L. Bridgman moved that a petition bo prepared and submitted for signature protesting against the dumping of Australian fruits into the dominion. This was seconded by Mr Wing. Mr Ashworth said the duty on imported fruits from Australia was previously 13 per cent., and it was now 25 per cent. If fruit could not be produced profitably with a duty of 25 per cent., then they should give up fruitgrowing. The fruitgrowers were endeavoring to use a, double-edged sword. He was opposed to dumping, and that any agitation against imported fruits should be directed against dumping only.

The Chairman said that peaches which were being sold at 11s in Australia were being isposed of hero at 10s Cd, plus charges. Mr Weavers said that there was unquestionably a great demand in New Zealand for dried fruits. He questioned whether peaches could bo produced sufficiently cheap in this country to compete with the imported article. Ho understood that a first-class article could bo produced in California at £5 per ton. Wo imported £50,000 worth last year. Both Australia and America could put fruit into New Zealand much cheaper than they in the dominion could produce it. On the one hand, they asked for a market for their fruits, and on the other they asked for the tariff to bo increased. The motion was carried. THE POOLING SCHEME.

Mr J. A. Wing moved that pooling be dispensed with for one year,’ and that the term of the agreement between tho society and members be for one year only. He said there had been a good deal of dissatisfaction with tho pooling system, and ho would like to see it abolished, or at all events ho-would like to hear members’ views on tho subject.

Mr Davidson seconded the motion. Mr Aitchison said he did not think tho management had done all that was required of it in connection with the pooling scheme. Personally, ho was in favor of pooling, but certain abuses had crept in, which ho thought should bo remedied. Mr J. B. Uiimour said pooling was tho centre plank of their platform., and this could not bo thrown overboard without getting rid of distribution. They were co-rclatcd.

Mr Wing said the general opinion among producers was that pooling was unfair. There were many things which growers should attend to themselves. The management had quite enough to do to sell the article without attending to other duties. Mr Ashworth moved as an amendment that pooling should be dropped for three years, which meant that pooling would not take place until packing sheds had been established. He believed that packing sheds were coming. When they had these they would have some system of pooling. Mr Asiin suggested the insertion of a new clause in the agreement giving a member the right to leave the pool after giving three months’ notice. Mr Davidson said members were not satisfied with pooling because their returns were not good enough. lie approved of their solicitor’s suggestion. Mr Toms said ho was absolutely displeased with tho pool, but he saw no other way out of the difficulty.

The Chairman suggested that the Earnscleugh growers arrange a pool among themselves. Mr S. A. Stevens said a section of the Clyde growers was opposed to the pool. Mr Weavers said that part of the Alexandra growers were opposed to the pooL

There were people in the co-op. who were opposed to the pool, opposed to tho erection of packing sheds, and opposed to the joint and several guarantee to the bank. Ho asked where was co-operation, and what was going to happen to tho society ? Mr Andrew Thomson explained that tho reason why many people were opposed to the pool was tho delay which had taken place in furnishing returns. Ho thought they should dispense with pooling for one year. Mr Ashworth said ho was quite prepared to withdraw his amendment. Ho pointed out that according to clause 7 of tho agreement a grower was still bound to send his fruit wherever directed. After some further discussion the motion and amendment were withdrawn, and it was resolved, on tho motion of Messrs C. Elsoy and H. Vernon that an agreement bo signed for three years, and that those growers who were, opposed to tho pool could give one month's notice to withdraw. This motion was then canned. BRANCH AT INVERCARGILL. It was moved by Mr Davidson, and seconded by Mr Kinnaird—•“ That it he a recommendation to tho directors to open a new branch at Invercargill.” The question of financing the proposal arose, and Mr Aslin said that of tho issue of £4,000 worth of debentures which had been issued, £I,OOO were taken up, leaving £3,000 available towards the above project if members agreed. The security of these debentures was letter to-day than it was when they were issued. With regard to the building site between Bond and Crawford streets, the society had got a bargain, and there were not a few who wore “ whipping the cat ” seeing that tho site had slipped from their grasp, and was no longer available. After some further discussion, it was decided that tho motion should bo altered to road “ that the meeting considers it advisable that a branch should be established in Invercargill.” In tills form it was carried o* tho voices.