FRUITGROWERS' CONFERENCE.

Northern Advocate, 6 September 1913, Page 5

FRUITGROWERS' CONFERENCE.

RESOLUTIONS CARRIED.

At the New Zealand Fruitgrowejs' Conference at Wellington the Nelson delegate moved: —"That in order to provide funds for the working of the federation in the interests of our industry, the Government be called upon to collect a levy per case on all apples, pears, and other fruits commercially handled in the Dominion, same to be handed back in full to thement the Hawke's Bay remit: — "That federation, less costs of collection.*'

Mr Martell moved as an amendin view of the steady Increase in fruit production and the large area still being planted, in tire opinion of this meeting the time has arrived when n. levy of 6d per acre or part acre p*r annum be made on all orchards in New Zealand over four years' old, swh moneys to be collected by the Government and handed over to the executi**. of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers' Federation, to be used by tb«.x» for the opening up of new markets at Home and abroad, and for the furtherance of the general interests cf orchardists.

The mover said that in Hawhf's Bay, where there were several orchards haying no bearing, a tax en cases would not be the right thing. Considerable expense would be Involved in collecting the tax. Tl« acreage tax was the utmost limit to which Hawke's Bay would go.

The Hawke's Bay remit was adopted with the following clause a6ded:—"And that district representation on the executive of the federation be in proportion to the acreage taxed."

The next remit to be discussed wes also from Hawke's Bay:—"That the Government be asked to remove (b<? duty on fruit wrapping paper."

Mr Toner stated that In Tasmania and Victoria growers escaped duty on wrapping paper. The paper used was imported from Sweden, and it was impossible to get the same made either in New Zealand or E»f> land.

The motion was carried

On behalf of Moutere it was met ed: —'That the Government be askfd to make the use of Imperial weights and measures compulsory for the sate of all spraying materials."

The mover, Mr Hudson (NelsorO, urged that the remit should be carried, as people did not always get the quantity of spraying material which they were paying.

The motion vr&B carried,