FRUIT GROWERS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 14 June 1924, Page 7

FRUIT GROWERS.

——- INSTITUTE OF HORTICULTURE. COMMON INTERESTS OF PRODUCERS. (BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON, June 13. Mr George A. Green, secretary to the New Zealand Nurserymen’s Association, addressed the Fruitgrowers’ Conference this morning on the progress of the movement to establish a New Zealand Institute of Horticulture. The institute, he said, had been registered under the Incorporated Societies’ Act, and considerable organising work had been done. The membership stood at 150, and a Government grant of pound for pound up to £l5O had been received. The objects of the institute included a wide range of subjects, educational, aesthetic, and commercial, but at its inception it would be necessary to concentrate on some one or more subjects of national value. The improvement of the standard varieties of iruits had already received attention Colonel Pow, secretary to the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, said his union lelt that_ the time was due for closer co-opei ation between all producers’ organisations. Each had their own detailed questions, but in such subjects as taxation, labour, and freights tliev had common interests, and should have a method of taking joint action in the producers’ interests. Politics were looming up largely, and although the farmers Union was non-political, it had taken the step of inviting eight members of Parliament to consult with it on farmers’ questions, notably the desire for farmers’ banks. Tj l e chairman assured ‘ Colonel Pow that the fruitgrowers fully realised the necessity of closer co-operation between the different bodies of producers. 4-ua rem jk ,'Y as adopted recommending that protection be afforded to the rais01*s of new varieties of fruits. • i e +u xec ?tiy e ' vere requested to consider the desirability of * portion of the orchard tax being devoted to dealing with orchard pests. It was resolved that the federation co-operate in the movement to establish trade with the East. The retiring directors—Messrs Attwood, Cone, Izard and Robertson—were reflected.

It was decided that the federation co-operate with the Farmers’ Union in taking steps to deal with the depredations of rooks m gardens and in orchards.

A deputation which waited on the General Manager of Railways reported that a promise had been given that the number of trucks for the carriage of fruit would be increased in the immediate future. An undertaking had also been given that as the fruit industry increased the rolling stock would l)e ’J lacl « adequate to deal with it ine conference then concluded