AUCKLAND FRUITGROWERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20256, 16 May 1929, Page 12

AUCKLAND FRUITGROWERS.

INCREASE IN EXPORTS. YEAR'S WORK OF COUNCIL. The annual meeting of the Auckland Provincial Fruitgrowers' Council was held yesterday, the chairman, Mr. S. W. House, presiding. The need i'oi closer co-operation and additional finance was emphasised in the report, which stated that there was a very necessary place for the council us the mouthpiece of the organised fruitgrowers. The council had worked continuously during the year to further its objects of organisation, advertising, the protection of the interests of all fruitgrowers, and education and research in horticulture. The council had also interested itself in obtaining relief from local taxation, and had enlisted the aid of other similar bodies in presenting a case to the Government. The Minister of Agriculture, Hon. G. W, Forbes, had been approached with a view to his visiting all the Auckland fruit areas. He expected to fix dates for his visit as soon as possible, after the coming session of Parliament. In spite of a shrinkage of fruit exports elsewhere in New Zealand, and also in Australia, said the report, there had been an increase of several thousand cases in the Auckland district. The total was expected to be over 85,000 cases for the export season. An abstract of receipts and expenses showed a credit balance of £l2 14s 4d in hand. A considerable proportion of the levies from subordinate bodies and members had not yet been received. Messrs. C. Ballantyne, W. J. JJodger and F. J. Causlcy, who retired from the council in rotation, were re-elected unopposed, togethei with Mr. G. W. Charman, representing the Tomato Growers' Association. Mr. S. W. House was appointed to represent the council at tho forthcoming Dominion conference. Executive officers were elected as follows: President, Mr. S. W House; vice-presi-dent, Mr. F. Firth; secretary and treasuier, Mr. G. A. Green; managing committee, the above and, in addition, Messrs. W. J. Rodger and C. H. Scott. A meeting of the executive of an associated body, the Auckland Tomato and Stone Fruitgrowers' Association, was held later in the afternoon. The first, annual meeting set down for the evening lapsed for want of n quorum. ADVERTISING PRODUCE. EXHIBITIONS AT SHOWS. The need of advertising Auckland's fruit industry was emphasised by Mr. W. F. O'Donneli, secretary of the' Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association, at the annual meeting of the Auckland Provincial Fruitgrowers' Council, Ltd., yesterday. Mr. O'Donneli said (lie fruitgrowing industry in the Auckland Province needed publicity in tlie other centres, and one of the best means to attain this end would bo to arrange for exhibits at Southern shows, He considered it would be wise to specialise, so that the exhibits would largely comprise produce. such as citrus fruit and grapes, of which Auckland was the largest and most successful producer. The Auckland Winter Show authorities were prepared to grant tho fruitgrowers largo space at the next show and an even greater amount at future ones. In reply to discussion regarding the disadvantage at which growers were placed in exhibiting out of season Mr.: O'Donneli assured the meeting that arrangements were in train to have (he association's 1930 show held in the autumn, as in the case oPtho Sydney Royal Show, which was always held at Easter. The feeling of the meeting was that the change in date would help largely to remove the apathy which had previously -hindered the council's efforts in collecting material for exhibits. It was decided that citrus fruits should comprise the bulk of this year's exhibit, as thoy were moro typical of Auckland and moro easily, handled for show purposes. The possibilities of sending an. exhibit of fruit to future Southern shows were also discussed. It was considered that tho appointment of organisers and collectors would be necessary to secure, the best show produce.