Produce Growers

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 111, 12 May 1945, Page 6

Produce Growers

At the ninth annual meeting of the Manawatu Produce Growers’ Association Mr. A. G. Brock presided. In his report, Mr. Brock said that the association continued to make steady progress, as had the industry generally since it had been organised on a Dominion basis. The association’s membership had increased from 32 to 47, and this was due in no small part to the activities of the secretary (Mr. J. J. Hume). The growing season had been a most unsatisfactory one and many crops had become almost a total loss. The most outstanding achievement of the year had been the abolition of the receiving and delivery charge and the payment for containers. Unfortunately, the 16 per cent. Dominion charge on the price of containers had been reinstated, but steps were being taken to remedy this and have the charge reduced on some kinds of containers. A marketing council had been set up to assist in the arranging of more orderly marketing. The principle of auctioning produce had much to recommend it, and he hoped it would continue. The contract system of growing vegetables for the Armed Forces had proved of benefit and he hoped the industry had been able to be of some help in supplying the means for victory. The secretary said" that foodstuffs were still required for the men in the Pacific area. The growers still had to remain united and work hard. By collective effort they had achieved much. The election of officers resulted: President, Mr. Brock; committee, Messrs J. Taucher, B. Powell, H. J. Grover, J. A. Gallop, J. Shearman, J. Chong, J. Beck, J. Leun, Kwong On; secretarytreasurer (pro tern), Mr. Hume. Representatives of the Department of Agriculture (Mr. Shearman) and the Internal Marketing Department (Mr. Melhuish) were present and outlined possibilities and requirements of the future.