FRUITGROWERS CONFER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19953, 23 May 1928, Page 14

FRUITGROWERS CONFER.

WORK OF THE FEDERATION. STATEMENT OF FINANCES. The annual meeting of the Auckland Provincial Fruitgrowers' Council was held yesterday, Mr. H. S. Izard presiding. Delegates appointed by the council will attend the twelfth annual conference of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers' Federation in Wellington on Juno 13. - The annual report of the federation directors, which was placed before the meeting, stated there had been a satisfactory increase in trale during the year. Sales for 1927 totalled £75,486, an increase of £18,568, or approximately onethird. The establishment of branch offices in Auckland, Hawke's Bay and Nelson had assisted considerably to increase the federation's business, which gave promise of further extensions during 1928. The gross profit amounted to £7210, or approximately 10 per cent, on the turnover. Although the business of the federation was increasing rapidly both in exporting and trading, it did not mean that other interests of the industry were being neglected. Work connected with assisting growers, watching the possibility of adverse legislation being passed and other items of importance to growers, had all claimed attention. The growing strength of the organisation would irtako possible even more effective work. It was regretted that arrangements entered into between the Federation and certain New Zealand millers for the supply of export cases to Nelson in place of imported cases had not proved at all satisfactory owing to deliveries being made long after contract time. Growers generally preferred to draw supplies of cases from New Zealand sources, but it was unlikely that those who ordered local cases last season would do so again. The advantages of the imported cases for Nelson in particular were that they were dry, that delivery was made to contract and that the prices was acceptable. The New Zealand product failed badly as far ns delivery was concerned, and considerable expense and worry resulted to the growers. Lengthv consideration was given to almost 150 remits which will be discussed at the conference of the federation, the council instructing its delegates on various questions.