FRUIT GROWERS OF OTAGO

Evening Star, Issue 20194, 6 June 1929, Page 3

FRUIT GROWERS OF OTAGO

MID-SEASON COUNCIL MEETING CONTROL FAVOURED The delegates of the Otago Provincial Fruitgrowers’ Council, Ltd., held their mid-season conference in the Chamber of Commerce board room yesterday. Delegates from the various • fruitgrowers’ organisations in Otago were present, and also Messrs T. C. Brash (president) and H. E. Napier (manager), of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers’ Federation, Mr W. T>. Goodwin, assistant director of horticulture, Messrs W. K. Dallas and Lloyd Williams (orchard in strutters), and Mr I, V. Inwood (fruit inspector). Mr P. R. Sargood occupied the chair, and after welcoming delegates and visitors, he congratulated shippers on the satisfactory totals of exports from Otago during 1929, the figures being: 1929, 87,895 cases; 1928, 82,276—an increase of 5,619 cases. The year 1928 was a record year, and 1929 had even impiwed upon that. Remits for the Dominion Conference were considered, and it was decided that all remits be referred oh to the Provincial Conference, meeting later in the day, with the exception of those referring to the Export Control Act. The Chairman stated that at a meeting of council of directors held that morning the following resolution was unanimously passed:—“That the council feels that the time is opportune for Otago to come within the jurisdiction of the Control Act, and that the mid-season conference of delegates be asked to affirm this principle.” Mr G. Moddie and J. H. Waigth, jun., moved—“ That the conference confirm the motion.”—The motion was carried, after having been supported by Messrs C. Weaver and A. 0. Bridgeman, Mr T. C. Brash, at the request of the conference, outlined various matters iii connection with Control Board legislation, and assured Otago shippers of a warm welcome from the Control Boaid. Mr Napier and Mr Goodwin, by request, addressed the meeting on markets and shipments, and, with Mr Brash, wc.ie accorded a hearty vote of 1 hanks for their attendance and assistance. MID-SEASON REPORT’. The mid-season report of the council stated that at this period last year the directors had been able to congratulate shippers on the fact that tlie 1928 season had constituted a record for Otago, in that over 82,000 cases had been shipped. Notwithstanding gloo'my forecasts of short crops in the early part of this season, the quantities offering for export had totalled in the region of 86,000 cases, setting a fresh record for Otago. Up to the time of wilting the range of prices had besi. rather below what was anticipate), hut so far no prices for Otago fruit were to hand, and, as reports were brighter each week, it might be confidently anticipated that the earlier forecasts of payable prices would be realised. In any case, it was quite apparent that there would be an improvement on last season’s prices The season had closed with the Port Hunter, which had carried about 22,000 eases for London and South American ports. Shipping had again been a rather difficult problem, and rendered more so owing to the fact that two steamers for Monte Video and one for London had been loading' at the same time, one steamer each at Lyttelton, Timaiu, and Port Chalmers Notwithstanding this, the whole of the fruit offering through the council had been shipped in good time with a minimum of inconvenience to shippers. The quantities shipped through the council for the season had been as follows;

In view of the manner in whigh shipsments had been diverted through other ■sources, it was most gratifying to find such a large percentage of shippers recognising the useful work of the council. The thanks of shippers were again due to the Railways Department for the hearty manner in which the staffs at different stations had co-operated to overcome the many difficulties which had cropped up, the shortage of rolling stock being a severe handicap. The backwardness of the port in the lack of suitable storage accommodation on the wharves for the assembling of fruit for export has again been very apparent where steamers were unable to take the whole of the fruit offering, and, unfortunately, there seemed no chance of any immediate improvement, as it was not the policy of the Harbour Board to put such sheds at Port Chalmers, and it was likely to be some years before the deep-water berths at l)mi : edin would be ready to take fruit for shipment. This matter was always being kept before the board, which placed great hopes in the ability of the new dredge rapidly to improve the depths in the Upper Harbour. It might be mentioned again that shippers’ actual quantities had exceeded original estimates in total by some LojUOU cases, and the fact was mentioned to show that it was not always fair to blame the shipping companies when sufficient tonnage was not available. In this connection thanks were due to the Federation and Control Board in transferring space to Otago, especially in view of the fact that there had been more offering for the later boats than could be accommodated, with the result that northern shipments, instead of finishing before those from Otago, would be several weeks later. The committee had been in close touch with the Ministers of the new Government, and had been partly instrumental in having the visits of the various Ministers to Central Otago. Shippers would regret to hear that Colonel Gray had left New Zealand for England. Before leaving he had addressed a letter to the council', wishing the growers of the province • good-bye. He asked particularly that the council convey his keen appreciation of the courtesy which had been extended to him by all when he had come as a stranger amongst them, and to wish them “ the very best of good fortune in the future.” It was gratifying to find that the printed wraps adopted for export had met with such universal approval, and thanks were due to the federation for putting orders through at such a reasonable price. Shippers were urged to place their orders early for the coming season, as quite a number had been disappointed last . season owing to late ordering.

In order to stimulate interest in the export industry, the Otago A. and P. Society had allotted the Young Challenge Shield for the classes for entries taken from export fruit, and had also agreed to continue, the packing competition at the Winter Show, the council having again agreed to subsidise the prize money. The committee again congratulated shippers on the high standard of grades which had been maintained, and could not let the opportunity pass of expressing the council’s keen appreciation of the very valuable assistance cheerfully given at all times by Messrs Dallas, Lloyd Williams, and Inwood, the Government inspectors, who were ever ready and willing to assist cither the experienced or inexperienced shippers. Their co-operation with the council was invaluable. Ju conclusion, the committee thanked most sincerely those shippers who had so loyally supported the organisation brought-into existence for the express purposes of specialising in fruit export. Although there had been deflections, it might he taken as a compliment that no suggestion was made that the council did not know and do its job. The report was adopted.

Apples. Pears. Tls. Middlesex (Rotterdam) 1,150 — 1,150 Herminius (London) ... 4,548 198 4,746 Jtimutaka (South America) 2,601 450 3,051 Port Curtis (South America) 2,319 156 2,475 Westmoreland (London) 14,229 10,659 531 14,810 Rangitiki (Loudon) ... 1,156 11,815 Devon (London) 4,637 — 4,637 Port Hunter (London) 11,936 — 11,936 Port Hunter (South America) 1,842 — 1,842 53,921 2,541 56,462