FRUITGROWERS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16646, 3 September 1914, Page 8

FRUITGROWERS.

CONFERENCE IN AUCKLAND. THE OVERSEAS MARKETS. ' [Per Press, Association.] . WELLINGTON, September 2. The New Zealand Fruitgrowers' Conference opened to-day, and Mr R, P. Hudson, president,. welcomed the delegates, who had come from Wellington, Nelson, Central Otago, Hawke's Bay and .Canterbury districts. He said he regretted that the proposed apple shows had. had to be abandoned for the time being. A trial shipment of apples had been made to North America, but returns were not yet to hand. Much was hoped for from this market when it was placed on a firm footing. With respect to the future of the industry, there was every prospect of the export trade developing by leaps and bounds. It was a matter of urgent importance tliat new markets for fruit should bo opened up.. . ■ It was decided to set up a committee to go into the question of the constitution and finance of the Federation. It was resolved—(l) "That the Conference again most strongly urges upon all Fruitgrowers' Associations to combine undor one nomenclature, viz., the Now Zealand Fruitgrowers' Federation." (2) " That it is advisable that a more definite arrangement should be made for all fruit to be loaded into and diecharged from ships on;trays." . It wa3 resolved to urge the erection of examining sheds at Hastings, Nelson and Motueka in addition to the four chief centres.

Mr E. B. Izard (Stoke) moved—- " That the Government be urged to make it compulsory for shipping companies to handle all fruit in cradles instead of in slings as at present." This was carried. Mr R. P. Hudson (Nelson) moved—- " That the Minister of Customs be apSronched with a view to having the uty removed from fruit canning and preserving machinery on the same lines as imported agricultural machinery." The motion was carried.

In regard to a remit from Horowhenua, "That the Government enact, a copyright law for new varieties of fruit, vegetables and flowers," moved by Mr W. Fostella, it was pointed out by Mr T. W. Kirk that provision as asked had been made in the Orchards and Gardens Bill. It was decided to ask the Government to bring the Bill before Parliament as early as possible. Another remit from Horowhenua, "That the Government be urged to phce greater facilities under tho control of the orchard branch of the Agricultural Department for prosecuting experimental-research in fruit-grow-ing," was carried. ■ '• '< Mr R. P. Hudson (Nelson) moved—- " That the. Government be asked to introduce legislation to overcome the extremely unsatisfactory conditions m connection with booking space for the overseas shipping of fruit. flus was carried.