FRUITGROWERS' INTERESTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14210, 5 November 1909, Page 6

FRUITGROWERS' INTERESTS

FEDERATION FORMED. TRADE WITH CALIFORNIA. [by telegraph.— association.] Wellington-, Thursday. The conference of representatives of fruitgrowers of the Dominion was resumed today, Mr. F. Sisson presiding. Mr. W. H. Smith reported that the committee which had waited upon the conference of acclimatisation societies of New Zealand with roference to the importation of German owls, has succeeded in getting its support in asking the Government to remove the restrictions on the importation of the owls.

The Conference again discussed the question of uniformity of fruit cases. The president reported that the committee which had considered the matter recommended two shapes of cases— 18in by Blin by Win, and tho other 25Jin by 6Jin by 13in. The Conference decided upon the former measurements as the standard ones for cases for packing apples and pears. It was decided that it bo a recommendation that all fruit sent, to public markets must be forwarded in new eases, and that all receptacles for fruit sent to factories be properly cleaned before being returned to the owners.

Mr. W. A. Boucher, nomologist, expressed tho opinion that New Zealand could develop a very profitable trade in apples and pears with California during tho off season in that country, tho same as was now done with onions. They could produce in New Zealand an apple equal in quality, if not superior, to the apple of California. Ho was quite certain from his experience of both countries that they could develop a very profitable trade- with San Francisco anil California. At tho present time tho steamers running did not have cool storage, consequently they could, not send stono fruits as well. The organisation of the industry, the taking of steps to prevent the glutting of markets, and consequent lowering of prices, was discussed. Mr. Kirk said ho did not think there would bo any difficulty in reviving tho issue by the Department of monthly bulletins stating the prospects of crops in tho different districts, provided tho fruitgrowers co-operated in sending in their reports. Mr. Boucher urged the necessity for central agencies being established in the different centres, thus preventing the indiscriminate sending of fruits to unsuitable markets. If this wero dono they should get an increased output, and better prices. It was decided to ask associations to hold their meetings early each month, and forward reports of the crop prospects to the Agricultural Department.

Th« question of federation was opened by Mr. W. Lightband, who said that something would havo to be done to prevent a chronic glutting of our markets with local fruit and also to contend with foreign competition. He moved that all the fruitgrowers* associations of New Zealand form a federation under the title of the Dominion Fruitgrowers' Federation, and that a central executive bo appointed. Tho motion was agreed to.

.<£." , M ;:\ lz * rd ' s motion - it was resolved, That this Conference place on record its appreciation of the valuablo assistance given to the farming industry by the Department of Agriculture in issuing circulars, and bv the visits of inspectors to the various districts, . which have led to increased productivity of tho land, and emphasise the conviction that efforts should be made to facilitate the marketing of farm produce in and beyond the Dominion by introducing a system of through booking bv rail and sea '* The Conference appointed the Hawko's Bay Association as the Provisional Committee of tho Dominion Fruit Federation to draw tin a constitution and submit rule's to the next Conference at Hastings in October 1910. A remit urging tho advisablenoss of opening wholesale and retail fruit stores in the ( principal towns of New Zealand was postponed to the next Conference, i