OTAGO FRUITGROWERS

Evening Star, Issue 21284, 13 December 1932, Page 5

OTAGO FRUITGROWERS

ANNUAL MEETING OF PROVINCIAL COUNCIL The ninth annual meeting of the Otago Provincial Fruitgrowers’ Council was Held at Roxburgh on Saturday. Mr D. Leslie, chairman of the council, presided. The following directors were present;—Messrs J. H. Waigth, jun., C. Weaver, R. Kinnaird, H. ,1. Webb, A. M'Donald, L. C. Tonkin, and delegates wore present representing Upper Clutha, Clyde, Farnscleugh, Teviot, Fttrick, Taieri, and Otago Associations. Messrs G. H. MTndoe and W. R. Lloyd Williams, Government orchard inspectors, were also present. Apologies were received from Messrs H. K. Napier and T.. C. Brasch, of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers’ Federation; Mr J. A. Campbell, director of horticulture, and Mr P. R. Sargood, director. The Chairman placed before the meeting the ninth annual report, which stated, inter alia : .The 1932 export season was much below the previous season’s figures owing to the disastrous frost, although the quality of: the fruit was better than was anticipated. It is to be regretted that the range of prices did not come up to expectations seeing that Otago exported such a small quantity, while it could not be expected that record prices would be maintained under such financial depression. Shipments, for the season, all of which were consigned to London per medium of the council, were 16,398 cases of apples, 3,312 of pears. It will'be noted that no fruit was sent to the Continent or. South America, owing to the unfavourable tariff and exchange conditions rind the limited quantity of fruit available. The quantities shipped from the various districts were as follow:—Cromwell, 1,990; Clyde-Alexandra, comprising Eniitlands.. Alexandra. Farnscleugh, Clyde, 4,657: Miller’s Plat, comprising Roxburgh, Dumbarton, Fttrick, Miller’s Flat, Island Block, 2,722; Beaumont, 6,414; Taieri, 3.927; total, 19,710. It is regretted that Otago was singled out for unfavourable mention at the dominion conference regarding the. guarantee claims, as there were conditions which militated against Otago which should have been taken into consideration before making tho unfavourable comparisons. Owing to the lapse in overseas trade space was not always available for shippers during the past season at the right time. Tho committee anticipates similar difficulties next reason, and trusts that shippers will, help to alleviate this with accurate estimates of . their space requirements. As the Government had made provision for Otago to c.ome under the Control Act, the council considered it advisable to give growers the opportunity to sign a petition asking that a vote be taken. However, as the number of shippers- who signed this petition was not sufficient to warrant this being presented, the matter was dropped, and it rests entirely with the shippers themselves whether they wish to come under the Control Board or not.

Ft was with much regret that the directors had to accept the resignation of , Mr H. Turner, who was appointed as London representative of the Fruit Control Board. The committee congratulates Mr Turner on his appointment and the Control Board in obtaining his services. Arrangements were .made, to continue the council under My Turner’s Dunedin office, which has the advantage of the records and organisation so well maintained by Mr Turner. The local executive is able to exercise close supervision on the office staff, and shippers can be assured that their interests will be closely watched. The balance-sheet shows that the year opened with a credit of £169 11s 2d and closed with a credit balance of £2OB 10s 4d. The directors were pleased to make a rebate of Jd per case to shippers for the last season, and the question of : a rebate of shipping fee for the ensuing jyar will be favourably considered if circumstances permit. _ The committee expresses its appreciation of the loyal support which has been accorded to the council, and trusts that the coming season will see more abundant crops, with much more favourable prices. The chairman congratulated growers on the wonderful recovery of the fruit trees after,the severe frost of November, 1931, and the bright prospect of good crops for the coming season, which only required reasonable market conditions to ensure payable returns. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The retiring directors—Messrs P. R. Sargood, JC. Weaver, H. J. Webb, and J. H. Waigth, jun.—were re-elected, and Messrs G. M. Mac Lean and S. P. Mirams were re-elected auditors.

Several matters of importance affecting fruitgrowers were discussed, the matter of the conditions of the Government guarantee causing much concern. The following resolutions were carried

"That this representative meeting of Otago apple exporters protests against Otago being singled out for invidious comparison as regards claims under the guarantee, and earnestly urges that Government guarantee conditions for 1933 remain the same as the 1932 season.”

“ That this representative meeting of fruitgrowers urges the Department of Agriculture to declare the Taieri a fruitgrowing area under the Fireblight Act and that the whole of the areas under the aforesaid Act in Otago be declared under the second schedule, the Taieri area to be—Waipori River to the sea on south, .the sea on the east, and the Maungatua Mountains on the west.” “ That this representative meeting of fruitgrowers strongly protests against the continued dumping of Australian fruit on the New Zealand market, as it is seriously affecting the sale of New Zealand-grown fruit, and unless adequate protection is immediately given many growers must suffer severely.” At the conclusion of the meeting Mr D. Leslie was re-elected chairman, and Mr Wilton G. Turner was appointed secretary, the chairman to act as supervisor.

In conjunction with the above meeting opportunity was taken to hear Mr H. E. Stephens, chairman of the New Zealand Fruit Board, and there were also present a large number of apple exporters from all districts. Mr Stephens elaborated the proposed scheme under consideration by the New Zealand Fruit Board for tire disposal of the whole of the New Zealand crop in the United Kingdom, and invited the exporters of Otago to join in the scheme. He stated that Mr H. Turner, the board's London representative, would arrive in New Zealand before Christinas, when the proposed scheme would be completed with the board. A very interesting discussion ensued, and it was decided that the information he distributed to all exporters, and a further meeting be called in ten days' time to consider what action, would bo taken by Otago. On the motlo’n of the chairman. Mr Stephens was heartily thanked for his visit and information, the opportunity thus afforded Otago by the Fruit Board being much- appreciated.