FRUITGROWERS’ COUNCIL

Evening Star, Issue 19745, 21 December 1927, Page 13

FRUITGROWERS’ COUNCIL

ANNUAL MEETING The fourth annual general meeting of the Otago Provincial Fruitgrowers’ Council, Ltd., was held at Roxburgh last, Saturday. _ Mr E. C. Reynolds, president, occupied the chair, and there was a full attendance of delegates from all the fruitgrowers’ associations in Otago. Messrs W. K. Dallas and W. Lloyd Williams, Government orchard instructors, were present. In welcoming them tho chairman referred, to tho valuable assistance and advice they had rendered to tho shippers. In welcoming the delegates tho chairman congratulated members on the fact that tho past season’s returns for export fruit had torched high-water mark for prices, and this had compensated in some measure for the reduction in quantity, Prices for Otago fruit compared more than favorably with those received elsewhere, due in some measure to the fact that their colored varieties had arrived at a time when other supplies of those varieties were getting short. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the chairman pointed out that the report had_ been made very comprehensive, and indicated very clearly tho activities of tho council and the valuable work that body had performed ip tho interests of shippers. Tho aim of the directors had been to confine the efforts of tho council solely to tho purposes for which it was primarily formed, and not to aim at making or accumulating profits at the expense of tho shipper. The results of the year’s business showed a fallingoff in the not result of only £62 14s 9d. This he considered a remarkably good result, in view of the fact that there had been a drop oi nearly 60 per cent, on the output for tho season. Matters concerning legislature, Customs, railages, etc., had been carefully watched, and in these matters the council had worked in close touch with the Fruitgrowers’ Federation for the protection of those engaged in the industry. New Zealand fruit had established a reputation for quality on the markets, and he strongly urged shippers to leave no stone unturned to maintain the standard which had helped towards that end. Mr C. Weaver (Earnscleugh) seconded the motion, which was carried by acclamation. The following committeemen were reelected unopposed:—Messrs W. Lind, 0. D. Stronach, A. M'Donald, D. Leslie. Messrs Mirams and Mac Lean were reappointed tho auditors. On the motion of Mr Michelle, seconded by Mr Laing, it was resolved that the directors’ remuneration lor the year ended October 31, 1927, be £IOO, and the directors’ remuneration for the year ending October 31, 1928, on the motion of Mr M‘Ewen„ seconded by Mr Gilmour. Tho secretary (Mr H. Turner) road a letter from Mr Hawken expressing Ids regret that pressure of business had prevented him.from visiting Otago. The meeting expressed the opinion that it was very desirable _ that Mr Hawken, who obviously was in hearty sympathy with the many difficulties with which the industry had to contend, should visit Otago, and the matter was left in the hands of the executive.

The Secretary reported that owing to the fact that the fruitgrower had been absorbed by the smallholder, the federation had under consideration the issue of a monthly publication devoted essentially to'the industry. It was hoped to have the first issue available in February, and that it would be possible to make the distribution free, to all payers of orchard tax._ The meeting was of the decided opinion that the industry was of sufficient importance to warrant the establishment of its own official journal, and heartily approved of the action of the federation. ORCHARD TAX ACT.

" The Chairman stated that; a copy of the new Orchard Tax Act had been obtained, and asked the secretary to explain the principal points of interest to growers. The Secretary explained that the minimum orchard tax had been increased to ss, but that no tax would he payable on any orchard of less than 120 trees, roughly representing one acre. The tax would now be payable in March instead of November, the latter date having proved very inconvenient to growers. Payers of orchard tax who were under the jurisdiction of the Fruit Control Board would not now be exempt from orchard tax, as was formerly the case. A matter of vital importance was the inclusion of a clause providing authority for a levy of a maximum of 5s per acre per annum for the control of firehlight, should this ever be necessary. In connection with the control of firehlight,. the secretary read a letter from the director of horticulture asking that associations express their approval or otherwise of the setting up of a firehlight control committee in order to assist tire department in the drawing up of regulations. Tho meeting expressed its decided approval of the proposition, and the chairman asked delegates to convey the recommendation of the meeting to their respective associations when tho matter came under consideration.

It was pointed out that tho Taieri was npt included in tho list of areas under the Firehlight Control Act, and it was loft in tho hands of the executive to approach the authorities in the matter, EXPORT GUARANTEE.

The Chairman stated that the executive had been in close touch with the federation in regard to an increase in the announced export guarantee (10s per case gross), and that it was hoped that an increase would be granted as a result of the joint deputation which had waited on the Minister in Wellington. Meantime this matter was holding up the issue of the new export regulations, but the department had promised to have these in the hands of shippers at tho earliest possible moment. Tho question of shipping space for 1928 season was brought up, and the secretary explained that after consultation with the Government orchard instructors, the council had pencilled four steamers, to load at fortnightly intervals, commencing the first week in April. Mr Waigth brought up the matter of a special printed apple wrap for Otago apples, and moved that the council take the matter up with tho federation. Mr C.i D. Stronach seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously, the meeting expressing its views very decidedly in support. ISLAND FRUIT TRADE. Mr Leslie brought up the matter of the Island fruit trade. Ho said he thought it was a matter all were interested in, as the obtaining of a direct service to Dunedin was in the interests of Otago as a whole. He accordingly moved; “That this conference of fruitgrowers recognises with satisfaction the decision of tho Government to give the Dunedin fruit market the opportunity of obtaining Island fruit direct by arranging for the_ new' steamer to come to Dunedin periodically, thus opening up the possibility of reciprocal trade with the Islands. A copy of this resolution to be forwarded to the Minister of Agriculture and to the Prime Minister.” The, motion was seconded by Mr Wing, and carried unanimously. Mr Leslie also moved—“ That every effort ho made by this council to negotiate for consignments of fruit to the Islands in order to facilitate return freight for the direct steamer. The motion was seconded by Mr Stronach and carried unanimously.