LEMON INDUSTRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23761, 14 September 1940, Page 14

LEMON INDUSTRY

AN INQUIRY URGED POSITION OF GROWERB PRICES PAID BY CONSUMERS A resolution urging that a public inquiry be held regarding' tbe lemon industry with special reference to the return to growers and the prices paid by consumers was unanimously adopted at a meeting of citrus growers held yesterday in the Chamber of Commerce Hall. Mr. S. W. House presided over an attendance of fully 50. In reviewing the industry over recent years and its control by the Internal Marketing Department, the chairman said that some drastic steps would have to be taken to ensure a continuance of production. Growers were allowing their groves to go back and in many instances trees were being cut down. The price, being paid to the grower to-day was inadequate to meet the increased costs and was actually about half what should be paid. Mr. 11. H. Booth, a member of the Auckland . Citrus Growers' Association executive, said the growers had nothing to hide or fear irom a public inquiry. He added that he had no faith in the' Advisory Board, which be regarded as a little division of the Marketing Department. Several growers said they disputed the costs of production assessed by the Minister of Marketing, the Hon. W. Nash. They contended that the figure should be 9s 6d a case and not 7s 6d. Mr. A. Y. Schramm asked whether the local growers were being saddled with the losses on the prices being paid by the Government in importing lemons. A committee of seven growers was set up to place the resolution before the Minister. REHABILITATION PLANS FREE MARKETING WANTED Several proposals for the rehabilitation of the lemon industry were discussed yesterday at a conference of citrus fruit growers in the Chamber of Commerce Hall. Tho. remits considered were prepared by a special sub-com-mittee of the Auckland Citrus Growers' Association, consisting of Messrs. S. W. House, H. H, Booth and A. D. Thomson. A resolution was submitted by Mr. Booth that the Government be rapproaclicd for a direct grant of, say, 2s 6d for each full-bearing lemon tree to enable growers to bring their orchards back into production. He said the suggested sum would only represent a small fraction of the cost of bringing trees back into use. Opposing the motion, Mr. A. L. Aicken said there was already too much interference by the Government. "This proposal is only inviting it to take further steps in controlling the industry," he added amid applause. He moved an amendment that the Government be asked to increase the price to growers and that the producers be allowed to return to a free marketing system.

The amendment was carried by a large majority. A further resolution recommended that the Government be requested to institute a case levy on lemons to provide adequate funds for the_ maintenance of a growers' organisation. The basis suggested was an annual levy to be deducted from the first pav-out to growers each season, with a minimum of os up to 60 cases, rising by kl a case to a maximum of £2 for 500 cases or over. . 1 \ 'v. "" '■

Mr. F. Firth advocated the establishment of a Citrus Council with district organisations affiliated. At present there were three bodies trying to speak for growers. The chairman said that would not be. easy to achieve as different centres were asking for varying levies. The resolution was carried without dissent.

On the motion of Mr. F. Firth, a special committee was charged with preparing a report and a draft of a constitution for the formation of a Dominion Citrus Council on the lines approved at last year's conference of growers.