FRUIT RESEARCH GRANTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 19 August 1933, Page 11

FRUIT RESEARCH GRANTS

CAWTHRON INSTITUTE ATTITUDE OF THE GROWERS Although the Cawthron Institute is in need of funds, the Canterbury provincial conference of tlie Now Zealand Fruitgrowers’ Federation decided that it could not agree to a grant to this organisation without a full investigation into the question whether financial help would be of permanent value, (reports the “Press”). The question arose when tlie conference considered a proposal by the Henderson Fruitgrowers’ Association that the Dominion conference of the federation seriously consider making a substantial grant to the institute.

Mr J. W. McLeod said the federation should consider the question seriously before deciding to make any grant. The federation was a trading concern working in opposition to private firms, and it could not give such grants unless private competitors did likewise, for these competitors would benefit from tlie results of any research. The federation could subsidise other grants pound for pound, but it could not act alone and deplete its resources for tlie benefit of others.

Mr C. T. Brash, president of the federation, the Cawthron Institute, was having a difficult time financially, largely because its trust funds were to a great extent invested in land or lent on land securities. The institute had approached the Dairy and Meat Boards and the Farmers’ Union for financial help, but these organisations had decided tiiat they could not help until tiie question had been investigated thoroughly to see if there were any chance of rehabilitating the institute's finances permanently. If temporary relief only were required, tiie exporters and farmers thought they should help, but not if it merely meant throwing good money after bad. A committee representative of these organisations had been set up to see if temporary assistance would lead to the permanent re-establishment of the institute’s funds. Mr Brash said he did not think the federation should pass any such grants without first cooperating with the other organisations concerned.

ft was decided to allow the provincial delegates to the conference to vote as they thought host.