THE FRUIT INDUSTRY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXX, Issue 139, 13 June 1896, Page 2

THE FRUIT INDUSTRY.

MEETING AT MOTUEKA. (From our Speoial Correspondent.) At a meeting held at Motueka on Wednesday evening, the advisableness of opening a retail shop or shops in Wellington for the Bale of distriot fruits and produce was discussed. Mr John Gny presided, and mentioned the meeting held lately in the Lower Moutere to consider the came matter. Mr Lowe, ot the Lower Moutere, read statistics, prepared by Mr Moffatt, of Motueka, showing tbat for six months in the year, apples alone to the value of £967 had been shipped to Wellington, and setting forth tbat at the retail price at whioh they were Bold, they would net £1934 plus £967 plus 5 per cent commission on the latter sum, or equal to the snm of £2949, and stated how such an Association as tbat projected could sell apples in Wellington at 2d per lb, and make a handsome profit. Mr Lowe continuing, said that if the scheme were oarried out, a manager, storeman, and two assistants would be sufficient at firßt, as he would advocate commencing in a small but careful way, and gradually enlarging. A oapital of £1000 would be sufficient, and tbat a strictly cash business should be adhered to, consequently tbere would be no bad debts to contend with, which would plaoe them in a position to drive others ont of the trade. Mr Moffatt showed that apples at |2d per b wonld give an inorease of cent per cent on present profits, while at present, with apples at 3d and 4d per lh, the retail profit wa's small. Mr Everett was of opinion that that district has peculiar advantages which this district had not, and witb referenoe to the Chinamen, he (bought that the large margin of profit credited to them went partly in obarges, Buch as rent, eio, Mr Lowe combatted this idea, showing that supposing rents etc. went high, there were fifty shnps in Wellington selling fruic at present, and if the Association centralised the fruit market in one depfit, the charges though high, would be nothing compared to what the fifty shops were paying, and the bnsiness done at one fruit mart instead of many, would be rnn at less j cost. Mr Hursthouse was in sympathy with the effort. In theory it was beautiful and lovely, but he was of opinion tbat the concern would require to be big, and deal in fruit all the year round. It would want oapital and good management — the whole thing hinged on the management — and when the looal fruit failed, it would bu necessary to deal with semi-tropioal and other fruit. With regard to the middleman, we had beeu going to do away with him for years, but had'nt done it. Mr Hursthouse gave his experience as a hopgrower in attempting to deal wiih the consumer. He advocated making cider, whioh, (made oheaply), 4/ worth of apples produced £1 worth of oider. With regard to the Fruitgrowers' Association, it would require £20,000 to burst up the Chinese ring, whereas £1000 spent on a jam factory in Motueka would absorb a lot of the looal fruit, and give a good profit. Further disousaion ensued, and it waß ultimately resolved, on the motion of Mr H. Everett, seconded by Mr T. Quaile : " That five residents, viz., Messrs Guy, Lowe, Eankin, Wratt, and the mover be appointed a Committee to investigate the matter as to the best means of selling our produce, and to call another meeting at a fnture date if necessary." The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to Mr Lowe.