DISTRICT NEWS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 7 August 1928, Page 9

DISTRICT NEWS

EXPERT 1 FRUIT !

ASSdCtAttON'

CONSIDERATION OF REMITS (From Our Own Correspondent.) At the monthly meeting of the Mahana, Fruitgrowers' Association Mr Stonebanks presided over a large attendance. Export matters were discussed, and the following remits' were passed for consideration at the forthcoming conference at Tasman:— "That a statement showing all items of expenditure incurred on export fruit between the port of shipment and the final destination he made available to growers; and that in view of the fact that overy endeavour should be made to reduce overhead charges, what steps have the Control Board taken in an effort to reduce these costs? That a list of the previous year's charges be provided for the purpose of comparison. "That the matter of the cost of materials required in the marketing of export fruit bo ventilated." That the proposal put forward by the Itiwaka meeting in lieu of the guarantee fund considered by the Dominion Conference bo endorsed." "That in view of the small variation of prices being received for the three grades of export fruit, and considering the cost of grading, brokers be asked what'advantages there are in the present system of grading." During the framing of the above rc« jmits there was cohsidcrahle discussion land growers, generally took a keen interest. The opinion,., was.' expressed that •the delegates ,had taken 1 the ■. right course in insisting on an export conference being held in Nelson.

' LOCAL MARKETS

Mr Stonebanks brought forward the question of the local market. He stated that a committee composed of representatives from the various provinces had been set up by the Dominion Conference for the purpose of investigating the present unsatisfactory conditions on the local market; Mr 'Dicker of Tasman being the representative for, the Nelson Province. Mr Stonebanks considered that all associations should assist this committee hy making independent investigations as affecting the local conditions, and with this in view he brought the matter forward for discussion. A very open discussion then followed, the three main points being standardisation, advertising and regulation of supplies to the markets. It was felt that by concentrating , upon standardisation and advertising only for one or two years more would he achieved than if an attempt was made to set up a comprehensive scheme. Finally it was decided to appoint a special committee comprising Messrs Stonebanks, Salmond, Brunt, Archibald and Bensemann to go fully into the matter and report hack to a subsequent meeting after which the final results of the investigations could be forwarded to the main committee through Mr Dicker.

GENERAL 5\ Mr McAlpine briefly addressed the meeting on matters affecting the Farmers' Union, especially the question of agricultural banks. He stated that the union was aiming for a membership of 50,000, and if this was attained they would have sufficient strength to go to the Government and demand reforms which were badly needed in the interest of the farmers.

Members showed keen interest and asked numerous questions, after which some members were enrolled.

PROGRESS COMMITTEE IMPROVED ROADS WANTED The Mahana Progress Committee convened a, meeting of ratepayers for the purpose of meeting Mr T. Hewetson, Waimea County Councillor for the Moutere riding, with the object of going into the question of the improvement of Ihe district roads. Mb Stonebanks took the chair and briefly introduced Mr Hewetson who was received with applause. Mr Hewetson gave a resume of the operations of the Council, of which he stated he had been a member for the past. 23 years. This account was most interesting and emphasised the many and varied difficulties with which the Council has to contend. Mr Hewetson stated the amount of money which was available for the Moutere Riding, and said that £3OO of this was being held to meet expected Government £1 for £1 grants for metalling on the old Motueka coach road, Best's road and Gardiner's Valley road. Several of "the speakers stressed the need for good roads for the cartage of fruit and stated that practically nothing had been done for the past ten years. Fruit was being damaged in transit, and the cost of cartage was high owing to the state of the roads, also in many cases owing to wet weather fruit could not be delivered to the port of shipment by the closing date fixed for the variety concerned, with a consequent loss to the growers. The hope was expressed that Mr Hewetson, with his long experience of county affairs, would be able to render them .such assistance which would result in the formation and metalling of the five or six miles of roads concerned.

In reply, Mr Hewetson undertook to do what he could, and would make arrangements to inspect the roads concerned in company with the County Engineer.

The chairman moved a vote of thanks to Mr Hewetson for his informative adchess and advice, and said that now the Progress Committee had opened the subject he could promise , Mr Hewetson no peace until the roads jvere put in order. The motion was carried by acclamation and the Meeting terminated.