NELSON PROVINCIAL FRUITGROWERS COUNCIL LTD.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 16 November 1922, Page 4

NELSON PROVINCIAL FRUITGROWERS COUNCIL LTD.

REPORT LHJR*HAJJ’ YEARLY MEETING

The following report is to be submitted to tlie lialf-yarly meeting of the Kelson Provincial Fruitgrowers' Council on Saturday afternoon: — Your Committee respectfully submit the following report, covering work undertaken during the past six months and information colected on behalf of members in connection with local market and overseas shipments for' the approaching season. With ' ttlie exception of the Westmoreland shipment, quoted in our last report, and the last boat of the season (s.s. Cormvayy) it may be said that the returns from export have not been satistactory. Glutted markets and indifferent carriage ot the fruit were the- main causes' of low prices, New Zealand suffering on ‘account of the. large quantitiy of Australian fruit of low grade reaching the market at the same time. _ Despite a vigorous publicity campaign to assist, sales (be nett returns did not reach Id per pound, and claims have been made on the Government Guarantee. It is expected that the amount of the claims will be finally paid over by the Government. to the Federation before the end of this month. Reports received indicate that the best grades of Nelson fruit are highly appreciated in the ISnclish market, and providing freights and costs can be further reduced, payable prices are assured, though it is improbable that the high prices of a year or two ago will he reached by the great hujk of the fruit. Brokers express (he opinion that from 14/- to 111/- per ease may be looked for. according to varieties and grade.

SOUTH AMERICAN MARKET A small trial shipment on consignment to South America realised payable, but noi fancy prices. For the coming season the prospects in this market arc brighter, a 'certain amount of shipping is definitely promised, with prospects ot additional' boats if the trade is assured. Some business has already been hooked up at prices from 10/6 to 12/0 per case f.o.b. Wellington and offers arc under consideration. Small shipments to Honolulu have brought payable returns to the shippers and tliers are prospects of further developments of this market. Offers to purchase apples outright for the Englm markets have been received and will he submitted to growers. The prices oil or,u, though sale, are not particularly attractive, and growers will have to decide, for themselves as to whether the,', will accept the prices offered or risk consignments. A promise of a Government guarantee of 11/- per case has been- secured; and this may be of some assistance to consignors, though not so liberal as in former years. The Council have interested themselves m securing lower freights both local and overseas, and have definite promises {hat coastal freights will he reduced to Ib/per ton measurement and that the overseas rate will not exceed that charged to Tasmania and Australia. The question of throught freights from . Nelson ports to London, and of lightering fruit in Tasman Bay has been energetically urged, and these matters are receiving consideration. A provisional application has been made for shipping space for 150,000 cases to England and a considerable quantity to South America.

LOCAL CONDITIONS At the request of the annual meeting held in May last, your committee have endeavoured to improve local market conditions: (1) By attempting the formation of a comprehensive company- with headquarters in Wellington, and (2) By a modified scheme to obtain control of Nelson’s output of fruit by an arrangement among growers to concentrate' the shipments. The first idea failed to materialise ow-ing-to lack of financial support and the latter through apparent apathy and lade of interest on the paid of the growers in their own business. A considerable gum of money has' been expended on these abortive efforts, and until it can be shown that growers are in earnest in their desire for improvement, nothing more can be done.

GENEVA L Your committee have supported a campaign in favour of systematic man- | uring of orchards on the Moutere Hills, land with the help of the Horticulture Division, the Cawthron Institute, and the M’s.I 1 , for Nelson and Motueka, a comprehensive scheme, financei! through the JStatc Advances Department lias been launched, and appears likely to bring • about very satisfactory results in the future. Your committee have worked m close co-operation with the Fruitgrowers’ Federation and have to acknowledge with thanks very valuable assistance from that organisation. The Council has again accepted the position of Nelson agents for the Federation, and will assist in carrying out the work of organising the,growers of Nelson to protect their own interests. With the prospect of increased quantities of fruit for export your Council expect to make a substantial reduction in the amount of the export levy without in any way curtailing or limiting the scope of its opera : tions.