Tomato Growers Want Protection

Northern Advocate, 20 July 1938, Page 4

Tomato Growers Want Protection

[Per Press Association. — Copyright.) WELLINGTON. This Day. For the first time in the history of market gardening in New Zealand, the Chinese were represented at the annual conference of the Dominion Council of the Tomato, Soft Fruit and Produce Growers’ Association, held in Wellington. The conference crecided that the council recommend that Chinese commercial growers form district associations, which might, then appoint delo gates to the Dominion conference.

The conference also decided that investigations regarding the manufacture of tomato juice and the canning of tomatoes be set on foot to ascertain the possibility of establishing such an industry as a further outlet for tomatoes. Other motions carried were: ‘‘That, in view of the increased cost in producing sauce tomatoes for sale, thg conference recommends that the minimum price be £lO a ton, and that the marketing department be approached to fix the price accordingly.” 'That, in view of the development or canning and pulping in New Zealand, the Government be asked to take the

matter up with a view to the institution of protection against overseas importations.” “That the Government be asked to prohibit further importations of tomato and raspberry pulp into New Zealand, except when local production cannot meet manufacturers’ requirements.”