AUCKLAND FRUITGROWERS' UNION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13396, 26 January 1907, Page 6

AUCKLAND FRUITGROWERS' UNION.

QCKSTUIN OP WINDING UP.

Till' adjourned annual conference or the Auckland fruitgrowers' Union was held ft the office of the secretary yesterday afternoon, the president (Mr. 11. M. Philiipson) presiding over a moderate attendance. At the last, conference a resolution was tarilv," but the question was deferred tint.) tariiV, but the question was deferred until the meeting of yesterday. Several letters were read 'from member-, and Mr. Johns, an ex-president, advocating that the union be not disbanded, and regretting that more general interest, was not manifested by growers in the affairs of the onion. Donations were also offered. The President i lid they all recognised what a power for , od the union had been, and what a powerful body it might be made in the future, if properly organised. There were manv directions in which the union could be of Use. For instance, the price of fruit nises had been raised during the year, aud the union might, take some action in that matter. A Member: They propose to raise the price again lie year. The President, continuing, said if tlie union was properly organised, they might bo able to do something in that connection, or at least act something back for their fruit to recoup them. All were aware that in political mailers the union had made itself felt in the interests of the fruitgrowers. He lcgrelted there was not a larger or more representative gathering. It seemed as if there were the same few who attended time and again. Mr. Wilson regretted that, members bad allowed the union to go backward to such an extent. Trie existence of the union was necessary in the filtered of the growers, and especially now that the grape question was so' much in evidence. He suggested that the union should be wound up and afterwards n-ore-anisod by appointing an executive, with possibly one of its members us hon. secretary, who would call the mem hers together when necessary. The expenditure would be redu. Ed to a minimum, and in that way they could keep the body iii existence, .so that* if the occasion arose thev could operate, as a union and take any necessary action. In the course of 12 months or a little move they might be able to get the union placed on a more satisfactory footing again. The secretary reported that there was a debit balance to date of £9 Is 4d, exclusive of the secretary".- salary. Mr. Hougliam (Henderson) said the best, thing to do was to wind up the union, anil let the fruitgrowers see how they would get on without an organised body. Mr. Cochrane suggested that those- precent should pav a small .-urn towards the liabilities, and ask each of the affiliated associations to assist to clear off the debt. When this was wiped off they could reorganise. After further discussion the secretary (air. J. IT. Maekio) tendered his resignation in order to eTwditc matters. He. however, advoeßted that the umon should be continued. The resignation of the secretary was then accented with recret, and a vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Mackie for the efficient manner in which he had carried out the duties of the office during the past ten years. " Mr. H. M- Philbpson was elected secretary, pro tern, pending definite arrangements as j.o the future being made at a meeting to be held later. Those present contributed 5s each towards wiping off the debit balance.