FRUIT INDUSTRY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 21 June 1926, Page 9

FRUIT INDUSTRY

PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE IXJ.UI.MO.N IIIiMJTS CONSIMKttKU The. enormous total of 105 remits to the Now Zealand .Fruitgrowers’ Fedorajiio'o conference came beiore the meeting J of Nelson fruitgrowers at Motueka on I 1 rida.y. The meeting continued till nearly 6 o'clock, and all the remits were voted on. Space will not permit |of dealing with all, 'but the decisions regarding the more important of those i of local interest are appended. ! There were live remits dealing with the constitution of the federation, all from Nelson associations, and seeking more Nolsim on the led- ■ eration board, and provision for a local organisation in each district. —Mr Stephens urged that Nelson was entitled to more representation.—All the remits : were carried. I Under the heading of '‘departmental'’ there were six remits. One was j that the Government he asked to pass legislation to class tomatoes as fruit and that all persons growing tomatoes for sale he compelled to register; this was carried.

There were eight remits under the heading “Customs and importations, ’ asking amongst other tilings lor the prohibition of importations of apples; increased duty to 2d on imported apples; prohibition of Rarotongan tomatoes during the months of November and December.—Air Brash pointed out difficulties under reciprocal treaties and thought, any alterations unlikely.—The remits were left to the Dominion Conference. CASKS This subject was responsible for nine remits. One read “that the conference is in favour of changing the New Zealand standard bushel case to the Canadian standard case measurements.” j Air Mackay said the Control Board ■ mul already taken action. Some growers, however, had already got their cases for next season. i Mr Napier said allowance would be I made for this. 1 Mr Nottage said the case was salisj factory and easier to pack. | Air J. L. Brown understood a nailing ) press would he necessary and he had ! heard that this would cost from £2O to j £25. j Air Campbell said a nailing press was essential, but it would cost much less than the sum stated. Afv Napier said growers could make a press. Mr James suggested that it might he putting a. monopoly into Canadian hands which would later be taken advantage of. Ah Napier said there would be a saving of approximately l£d. There was less timber, less freight, and a saving of strawboard. The saving was well worth while. The remit was then carried. Other remits were that New Zealand boxmakers be financed similarly to Canadian Afv Napier said the federation had not the finance to do this. The remits were referred to the Dominion Conference. LOCAL MARKETS Compulsory standardisation for local markets and elimination of fruit belovv a specified grade from open markets was affirmed; also the organisation of the distribution of all classes of New Zealand fruit with a view to more even and regular supplies. Three remits that all cases be charged for were approved. EXPORT AfATTERS There were 41 remits dealing with various export matters. The first read “that the orchard in-

: In.;; he given more power to prevent varieties being pub forward for export out of their due season.” Air Mackay said Air Campbell had indicated that this would be done next season. Mr Nottage urged caution. One man might be growing only Blurmcrs, and when these were mature might have to wait till another minn's Jonathans went. Mr Campbell sajd that would he guarded against. Mr 'Gilbert said they must be careful not to block Jonathans in late districts. The remit was disagreed with. A proposal that colour requirements be strictly enforced was disagreed with. Mr Jackson suggested that the three Nelson inspectors confer at the beginning of the season and draw up a colour standard. A reply was given, it was understood, that, this was done. Proposals dial export cosls lie reduced to as low as possible were approved. WRAPPING PAPER PRINTED WRAPPERS OPPOSED 'J'lie question of the quality of wrapping paper and whether if should be printed was discussed at some length. Air Nottage said the quality bad not always boon satisfactory. It was bad for the packers, was costly, and something better was wanted for the high price paid. Paper this season had cost up to 3d and 3jd a case. Air Gilbert said t lie paper supplied this season had reduced packing by 25 per cent. Mr Darvali said the printed paper had given them nothing for the extra. Id cost.

Mr BrasiTremarked that there was a growing feeling for Empire food, and and that preference on foodstuffs was improbable., Mr Napier said 71b paper could not be printed. Air James: It cost 6<l a pound for 81b. paper —a, fearful price. Air Napier said that on a pound basis an even price over the whole came out at standard weight. Air AlcKee asked the cost of the printing. Air Napier said the difference between plain and printed paper was a case. The Americans were the only people who could supply a satisfactory printed paper. Air Brash said the wrapper did not always reach the consumer. Air Gilbert asked if printed paper was compulsory. There were (|Uf>tes under 3/-, and why should they nave to pay 4/- for printed paper that was not satis, factory'; Air Brash said it would be compulsory for the coming year. Air Napier remarked that a lot of 71b paper had been sold as 81b paper last year. A grower stated that be did a lot of packing and had no complaint to make. Mr Bisley said Jiis shed used both plain and printed paper, but the latter w’ns not satisfactory and added to the costs. A packer doing 100 cases a day with plain paper dropped to 75 cases with printed paper. He. had a quotation for guaranteed 71b paper, and did not think lie should have to pay an extra Id a case. There was a chance of Id a case reduction and why not take it? If they wanted an advertisement put it oil the case. The decision of the meeting was that the federation supply a satisfactory paper and that the printing of wrappers bo dispensed with. The meeting was against the provincial name on the label; against stickers; and against stencilling instead of labels; but was in favour of an approved trade mark or brand on export labels in the space formerly occupied by the name of the province. Remits were approved that the interests of those who signed shipping contracts be strictly safeguarded. The conference approved that export cheques be free of exchange. Thanks to the Government for valuable assistance regarding export were approved. Marlborough asked that the control board representative in England be asked to send frequent reports on condition of fruit on arrival, and market conditions, and that reports be circulated amongst associations. Mr Brash said reports were received from Colonel Gray by every mail, and would be of assistance to the industry; but they were largely confidential. Col. Gray he said was doing fine work. The remit was adopted. Remits that the control board levy be cut down and any surplus be rebated to growers were approved. The meeting was strongly opposed to pooling of prices. Mr .Jackson asked, if the South American shipment was pooled. Air Napier replied “practically.” He stated that all South American brokers did the same —they paid out on varieties. FRUIT CONTROL ACT A remit from Moutere read:—“That the Conference request the Government to amend the Fruit Control Act to enable local control to be carried bv 60 per cent, of those who vote, instead of, as at. present, 60 per cent, of those on the roll.” Messrs James and Gilbert spoke against another control board. 'Major Talbot referred to Hie difficulty in the Nelson district where a. number of growers “conscientiously” objected to recording a vote on anything. Therefore there should be 60 per cent, of those who voted not of those on the roll. Air Stephens said the matter of local control had been before Nelson for two years. Voluntary standardisation would not go far.

The remit was carried almost unanimously. “That the word ‘control’ be deleted and the New Zealand Fruit-export Control Board be known hereafter as the. New Zealand Fruit. Export Board, and in the event of a local Fruit Control Board being set up the said .Board be known as the Local Fruit Board, prefixed by the name of the provincial district in which the Board is elected, as ‘Nelson Fruit Board,’ ‘Otago Fruit Board.’ etc.”—This was a remit from Hawke’s Bay and was approved. At. 5.30 it was moved that the remainder of the remits be left to the delegates to the Dominion Conference. — Lost. The meeting then rapidly thinned, till less than 50 were present, and the remainder of the remits were quickly-got thrpugh. Remits expressing dissatisfaction at the position concerning Gerrard wire were approved. A remit bearing on local organisations such as provincial councils was submitted by the Bluffs Company. Mv .McKee moved that a conference of growers be held to consider this matter and the federation's proposal for an advisnrv board. Mr Jackson seconded, and the motion was carried. The meeting was fixed for Bluff packing shed at 1 p.m. on Wednesday nett The meeting terminated with a \oto of thanks to the. chair.