CITRUS FRUIT INDUSTRY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 27 October 1928, Page 10

CITRUS FRUIT INDUSTRY

ORGANISING GROWERS FORMATION OF DOMINION ; COUNCIL With a view to developing and generally promoting the interests of the citrus fruit industry, a decision was made at a meeting of Auckland growers to form a New Zealand Citrus Growers’ Council, Limited. Under the constitution of the new organisation it is proposed that the management shall engage m any business or enterprise calculated to foster and protect the growing industry or to be in the interests of members of affiliated organisations. Share capital is to be purely nominal for the purposes of legistration.

Mr S. W. House, president of the Auckland Citrus Growers’ Association, presided over an attendance of 40 growers, including a number from Tuuranga. The industry, he said had made fairly good progress under its present organisation, but he stressed the necessity for further co-operation and the adoption of a united front. Gratifying concessions had been, received from the Government, but it was hoped to get more. It was thought that the time had arrived when a Dominion organisation should be formed;

Mr If. S. Izard drew attention to unnecessary friction that had been created by individual organisations making representations to the Government, and made a vigorous appeal for support for the new movement. Lemons were grown chiefly in the Auckland district, and it was rightly thought that there should be a supreme body to fight the question of duty and other matters vital to the welfare of the industry. Ho said at times lie was disgusted with the disregard for organisation shown by some growers and their apathy to do anything in any shape or form to improve their livelihood.

Air G. A. Green said that Auckland was not the only district that would grow citrus fruit, and he felt satisfied that before long there would be six associations in existence. Therefore it was necessary that organisation in the industry should lie Dominion-wide. What was required was a united body that would carry conviction when representations were made to the Government.

Discussion of the constitution is proceeding. Atn address dealing wfth methods adopted to improve the cultivation of citrus fruits was given by Air N. R. W. Thomas, lion, secretary of the Auckland Council of Horticulture. He said it was hoped when an agricultural college was established in Auckland that an area would be set aside for a test ground for citrus fruits for the province. Experiments were at present being extended over a period of three years, and, possibly, aided by a further grant from the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, at the end of that time further stocks would be tested.