GROWERS MEET

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22363, 23 June 1947, Page 2

GROWERS MEET

EARLY POTATOES GISBORNE INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION FORMED Gisborne potato-growers met in the Ormond Half on Saturday evening and, although the discussion was somewhat curtailed by the convenors’ belief that a power cut would be introduced at 9 o’clock, a decision was made to form an association and the executive ofncers were appointed. The meeting, convened by Messrs. Jack Allan and E. J. Stewart, was well attended. Messrs. C. H. Williams and Stuart McGuinness were* in attendance oy invitation to represent tne Federated Tanners of New Zealand. Mr. Stewart opened tne meeting, bueiiy outlining me purpose and torn of the success of delegates, Messrs. E. K. F. Cameron and J. Allan, representing a hastily set-up association last year on a visit to Weiiington in connection witn the rar-ucuy-expanaing iocai potato industry, iviessrs. Cameron and Allan naa been successiui, in conjunction with delegates of other potatoproaucing centres, in obtaining a rise in .the price ceilings for early potatoes chat had been essential .to the maintenance of tne production of the commodity.

i< uruiermore, they had obtained information Irom tne tvianawatu and uanguiki associations of me voluntary use oy those associations of a system oi tugging. The associations issued the tags, wmen were attacneq to the produce by tne grower. If tne produce was lounci Dy tne market or buyer not to be up to standard, complaints could' oe rnaae through the association. The association concerned could then trace tne grower and ensure that the industry was maintained on the highest level.

Messrs. Williams and McGuinness were then invited to give an outline ol tne operation oi the Federated farmers. Mr. Williams pointed out that should an industry not have sufficient numerical strength to iorm a produce section there were rules whereby they could affiliate with a kindred body of producers.

Mr. C. Isabeth moved that a potatogrowers’ association be lormed in Gisborne, and the decision was carried unanimously. When nominations lor president was called lor Messrs. Cameron and Allan declined to accept nomination because oi their extensive farming operations. Mr. E. J. Stewart was elected president. Several members of the audience declined to accept nomination as honorary secretary. Mr. L. J. Torrie accepted on the condition that, in the interests of the potato-growers' association and the Gisborne Commercial Gardeners’ Association, those two organisations reform as two distinct sections of an amalgamated association with a view to ultimate entry into the Federated Farmers’ as a strong and united section. The following executive was elected ■to be representative of the various potato-growing areas: Mr. J. Haskins, Manutuke, Mr. Hogan, Patutahi, Mr. Isabeth, Taruheru, Mr. G. Brown, Puha, and Mr. K. Crarer, Wainui Beach. The last-mentioned two executive officers were elected in their absence and subject to their approval. \