THE FRUIT INDUSTRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20969, 4 September 1931, Page 12

THE FRUIT INDUSTRY.

DOMINION 7 ORGANISATION. LORD BLEDISLOE'S' PRAISE. . ESSENTIALS FOR SUCCESS. [by telegraph.—-own correspondent.] WELLINGTON, Thursday. A word of praise for the thorough fashion in which the New Zealand fruit industry had been organised was spoken by the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, in his address at tho annual conference of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers' Federation in Wellington. Lord Bledisloe said he wished to congratulate the growers on having found new commercial outlets for their larger fruit upon tho Continent of Europe, and on having so thoroughly organised the industry under the wise direction of the Fruit Export Control Board. It might confidently be said that, but for tho wellinformed efficiency of the so-called "control" established about six years ago, last year's trading results might have been very different. "In these days when the world is so impoverished and a commodity such as fruit, although so conducive to health, is regarded by many as a luxury, it is especially important that in framing a sound marketing policy the taste and the. pocket of the consumer should be duly considered," said His Excellency. "Whatever may be said about insufficiency of industrial organisation and mutual co-opera-tion among those concerned in the production and supply of foods for local consumption, I cannot help being deeply impressed by the mutual helpfulness and cordial sympathy which characterise the progressive efforts of those engaged in the export fruit industry." Effect of Government Guarantee. Lord Bledisloe went on to say that invaluable help in developing the organisation of the industry and in arranging the finance of fruit shipments had been afforded by the Government's guarantee of lis a case gross on the overseas market. But for the evident determination of Dominion fruitgrowers to maintain a high standard of quality and uniformity, such a guarantee might well have put a premium upon mediocrity and an unfair burden upon other sections of the community during a period of financial stringency. However, the guarantee had stimulated, at leaat in one sphere of primary production, an appreciable augmentation of the nation's wealth from the soil. He learned with prrtjund pleasure that this year there would be little or no call upon the Government guarantee. Lord Bledisloe stated that the choice of varieties of apples for the overseas trade was all important, and he suggested that fruitgrowers should be guided by those who were studying the market requirements of the world, especially Great Britain and the Continent.

Discoveries Through Research. Too much individual ingenuity might result in ultimate financial loss. There would always be a market for the "best" and world over-production need not be a bogey to the prudent and far-sighted fruitgrower. By "best" was meant a consideration of the special purpose for which the fruit was to bo used and to some extent the fluctuating taste of the presentday consumer. The grower should seek to eliminate from his plantations all low quality"varieties. - . . "I rejoice in the prevalent realisation among the more enlightened primary producers of New Zealand the debt they owe to scientific research," said His Excellency. "In no sphere of agricultural research has there been in recent years more definite discoveries of real and lasting economic value than in the production and preservation of fruit.

"Fruitgrowers, like other primary producers, must not look to high prices for their economic salvation, but rather to improved organisation and reduced costs of production and transport. Uniform prices at a moderately remunerative level are most conducive to steady enterprise, resourcefulness and wise finance."

EXPORT OPERATIONS. , SHIPMENTS TO CONTINENT. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. Thursday. Interesting comments on the export side of the fruit industry are contained in tjie interim report of the New Zealand Fruit Export Control Board. After dealing with shipping facilities and the marketing of the crop the report states:— "Over two-thirds of the total crop was shipped after the middle of April and the condition of the fruit this season was remarkably good. Tho shipping companies continued their practice of carefully inspecting each consignment, but not one complaint was received. The cutting and bruising of fruit which had been so prevalent in past seasons was eliminated by the use of one-piece corrugated strawboard. "All the large apples, with the exception of early cookers, were sent to the Continent, where they were in good demand. By this means United Kingdom buyers received tho fruit they desired and. the Continental quantities were incrensed. This transfer, while appreciably increasing the Continental quantities, had relatively little effect on the quantities marketed in the United Kingdom." REPRESENTATION ON BOARD. PROPOSAL BY CONFERENCE. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Thursday, The question of representation on the Fruit Export Control Board was raised at the fruitgrowers' conference to-day and it was decided to recommend that the representation be as follows: —Auckland, one member; Hawke's Bay, Poverty Bay and Wairarapa, one; Nelson, one; Nelson Central, one; Motueka, one; Canterbury and Marlborough, one.