FRUITGROWERS MEET.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 218, 13 August 1940, Page 10

FRUITGROWERS MEET.

PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE. A conference of fruitgrowers in tlie Wellington province was held in Palmerston North, yesterday, growers being present from Palmerston North, Wanganui and the Wairarapa. Mr WA. Tate, of Wairarapa (a director of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers’ Federation) presided, and those present included Messrs T. C. Brash (Dominion president of the federation), A. Osborne (general manager), J. PI. Parker (assistant-manager), Mr W. T. Gardner (.Assistant Director of Horticulture) and L. It. Renouf (local orchard instructor). The conference was addressed by Mr Brash, who referred to the war and said that there could be only One opinion on the necessity for the Government’s “all-in” policy.'He mentioned the part which fruitgrowers could plaj 7 in the war effort, and urged them to keep the industry intact and in a position to carry on. History had been made in the industry in the last year, all apples and pears having been taken over by the Government. The industry was faced with disaster at the time when this deal was made. The change involved complete standardisation, the elimination of a good deal of fruit which previously had gone on to the market, and Government inspection at' assembly points. Fortunately, space was found for export for 600,000 cases, and this relieved the market to a certain extent, but the Government had still had a very difficult job. The federation had been asked to undertake certain assembly work for the Government for both local and export purposes, and had the testimony of the department itself that the work was well done. In this connection the speaker paid a tribute to the staff. The financial year had been reasonably satisfactory. The federation was now a vast concern with a turnover of about £250,000 in trading purposes. The increase for the year had been £17,000. The profit was satisfactory, but the federation was not a profit-making concern.

Mr Brash answered numerous questions affecting the industry and the annual report and balance-sheet of the federation, which were before those present. Discussion on the policy to be adopted for the coming year was taken in committee, and remits for the annual conference of the federation were also considered.