FRUIT FEDERATION

Evening Star, Issue 20194, 6 June 1929, Page 15

FRUIT FEDERATION

MEETING OF OTAGO BRANCH MANY .REMITS DISCUSSED The delegates to the Otago branch of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers’ Federation held their annual conference yesterday afternoon in the Chamber of Commerce board room. Mr H. Turner presided over a good attendance. INITIAL DIFFICULTY. Before the actual start of the business a difficulty arose over the question of representation. The right of the Otago Co-operative Fruitgrowers, Ltd., to have representation at this particular conference # had been challenged on several grounds. The scretary of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers’ Federation in Wellington had submitted the question to the solicitor of the federation, who had given his opinion that the representatives of the Otago Co-operative Fruitgrowers’ Association had not been' legally appointed. , Some exception was taken to this opinion, but the chairman held that he must of necessity, be guided by the board’s solicitor, and ruled accordingly. Ho agreed, however, to allow the representatives of the association present to join in the debates, but refused to recognise their right to vote. At this stage the conference adjourned for lunch, and on resuming the association’s representatives expressed the opinion that they were being unfairly treated, and withdrew from the meeting. The delegates from the Ripponvale, Upper Clutna, Clyde, and Central Otago Fruitgrowers’ Associations, with the exception of Mr C. Weaver, supported this view, and also retired in sympathy. FEDERATION’S REPORT. After welcoming the visitors, Mr T. C. Brash, president, and Mr E. Napier, secretary, of the New Zealand Federation, the chairman moved that the conference approve of the annual report and balance-sheet of the federation. Mr Brash said that the directors could feel reasonably satisfied with the year’s work. The standing. of the federation had improved financially and otherwise, the year’s working resulting in a profit of £4,000. He hoped that the time was not far distant when there would be a growers’ branch in Dunedin. To deal with the margin of profit in the future a proposal had been brought forward that 60 per cent, of the profits should he accredited to the individual growers in proportion to their trading with the association. The money might not, however, be paid out for years. The aim of the proposal was, of course, to give the individual growers an interest in the association. In dealing with rural credits he stated that fruitgrowers had not been able to take advantage of the Bill. A scheme was on foot to enable growers to take advantage of the legislation by guaranteeing them. The report wr: approved. DIRECTOR AND DELEGATES, Messrs H. Turner and Weaver w'ere nominated for the position of director, Mr Turner being elected. The following delegates to the conference of the federation were elected: —-J, B. Gilinour, D. Leslie, J. Wing, and A. 0. Bridgeman. Provision was made that if Mr Bridgeman were disinclined to attend Mr G. Moodie should be appointed in his stead. CONSIDERATION OF REMITS. The conference then went on to consider remits to the Dominion Conference, which numbered 115. FIRE BLIGHT MENACE. “That hawthorn be brought under the provisions of the Orchard and Garden Diseases Act in commercial fruitgrowing areas.’’ —Mapua Fruitgrowers’ Association. Mr Brash stated that the possibility of fircblight attacking Otago orchards should be given consideration. It would be advisable to set up committees in the various areas. Then some educational work could be done so that it could be recognised and eradicated. It coidd be kept in check, but if it became out of hand it would ruin the areas. Mr W. Goodwin (assistant director of horticulture) said that there was not much hawthorn in Central Otago, and all the committee could do would be to try to have it taken out. Asked what would he done if fireblight were discovered in hawthorn, Mr Goodwin stated that if it were in a fruit area the owner would be required to have it destroyed. It was decided to support the remit. ANNUAL REGISTRATION. “That the annual registration of an orchard he discontinued seeing that the certificate of registration is printed on the hack of the orchard tax demand.”— Loburn Rangiora Fruitgrowers’ Association. Mr Goodwin said that the Government already had legislation in hand dealing with the point. It was proposed to have permanent registration. The present system was just as great a nuisance to the Government officer's as it was to the growers. APRICOT SUBSIDY. “ That the Government be asked to subsidise the first ten tons of apricots dried in New Zealand.” —Central Otago Fruitgrowers’ Association. Mr Weaver stated that there was already a good market for dried apricots in New Zealand, £50,000 worth being sold annually. Dominion growers, however, could not compete with the imported article at its present price. Jt was decided to support the remit. SOUTH AMERICAN EXPORT. “That Cleopatra and Dunns he permitted for export to South America.” —Ettrick Fruitgrowers’ Association. Mr Tonkin stated that formerly failprices were obtained for these varieties in South America. Otago could grow them, and the market should be available. The attention of the Agricultural Department should be drawn to the matter. Mr Goodwin staled that was danger of flooding' the market. There was a limited market in Brazil, and it the matter were left to the Control lioard it might he able to send a certain quantity. It was decided to support the remit.

GOOD GRADE FRUIT. “That good grade,bo permitted for Continent, —Ettrick Fruitgrowers Association. ,1, Mr Napier said that a few had been shipped on trial- this year, and possibly there would bo a better market nex year. , The meeting was in ravour or tne remit. DUTY ON IMPORTED FRUIT. Nine remits from various associations urging that trie Government he asked to impose a substantial duty on imported jams, fruits (dried and canned), and fruit pulp, with a view to limiting their importation were considered together. Mr Turner said that this question had been dealt with very comprehensively by the directorate, which had decided to take the remits forward from the Dominion Conference to the department.—The remits were approved. COMPULSORY MARKING. The directorate brought forward a remit suggesting that the Government be requested to introduce legislation making it compulsory for all imported fruits exposed for sale having the country of origin marked on them. Mr Brash said the directorate considered this a fair thing to ask, as it felt that it would assist consumers if they knew' where their fruit came from. —Approved. SECOND-HAND CASES. “'.lhat the use of second-hand cases for carriage of fruit be prohibited,” was a remit submitted by Ihe Ettrick Fruitgrowers’ Association. Mr Brash pointed out that this remit was somewhat idealistic, and, m fact, was impracticable.—lt was decided not to support the remit. FREIGHT REDUCTION. The Henderson Fruitgrowers’ Association submitted ihe following remit: —“ That the question of freight rates on shocks bo taken up with the Railways Department with a view to a reduction.” Mr Turner said that the directorate had taken this matter before tlfe Railways Deparment, and had received very little sympathy. After all, it cost as much to draw a ton of shocks as a ton of anything else.—lt was agreed to oppose the remit. EXPORT CONTROL. “That the interests of the fruit industry would be better served if the offices of secretary to the federation and secretary to the 'Export Control Board were separated.”—Tasman Fruit Packers, Ltd. Mr Brash said he, personally, was in favour of tin position as it stood. The present system cut down expense and made for better un ty and team work, and he felt that the industry was better served by this method.—lt was decided to oppose the remit FEDERATION COSTS.

“That included in tlie federation balance-sheet be a separate account showing in full detail the actual costs of handling the export business.” “That (he Fruitgrowers’ Federation furnish, when requested, a return giving full particulars as to salaries, travelling allowances, and expenses paid to directo.';, and each member of the staff.’-’—Hills Fruitgrowers’ Union. Mr Brash said it was impossible to set out the details of the cost to the federation. In regard to the second remit, the principle of broadcasting the salaries paid to the staff was, he considered, entirely wrong, and was altogether unfair to the members of the staff.—The meeting agreed with this view, and opposed both remits, and two others along similar lines were also opposed. HEAVY TRAFFIC LICENSES. “ That private owners of motor trucks be allowed a. total loaded weight of two tons and a-half, instead of two tons as at present, before being liable for heavy traffic license fees.”— Hawke’s Bay Fruitgrowers’ Association, Ltd. Mr Tonkin said he would prefer to sec the total loaded weight increased to three tons, and it was agreed to support the remit with this ameudation. UNATTRACTIVE LABELS. “That the good grade label be brought more into line with fancy and extra fancy, as the present label has a most unattractive appearance.”— Taieri Fruitgrowers’ Association, Ltd. Mr M‘Donakl said be would go further than the terms of the remit and say that the good grade labels at present used were an absolute disgrace.— The remit was approved. ALTERATIONS TO RULES. Mr Napier spoke at length in explanation ot proposed new' rules. a He stated that an alteration was to be made in the system of representation and the election of delegates to provincial conference. Growers could be nominated only through one society, and dual representation would be done away ivith. Under other rules the federation was given wider powers in regard tc the investing of its funds, and were designed to assist fruitgrowers to take advantage of the Rural Credits Act. A further new rule gave the directors power to allocate 60 per cent, of their profits to purchases from the federation ol trading goods. The directors were given power to exclude any particular item. The money would be retained until the directors felt that the scheme should be carried out. A further proposal confined “ bona fide fruitgrowers ” to payers of the orchard tax. The proposed rules were approved. APPRECIATION. A motion was passed expressing appreciation of the attendance of Messrs Brash and Napier and the officers of the Agricultural Department.