FRUITGROWERS’ CONFERENCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19198, 14 June 1924, Page 7

FRUITGROWERS’ CONFERENCE.

CARRIAGE OF FRUIT. TRADE WITH THE EAST. (Peb United Poiess Association.) WELLINGTON, Juno 15. Mr George A. Green, secretary of the New Zealand Nurserymen's Association, addressed the Fruitgrowers’ Conference this morning on the progress of the movement to establish a Now Zealand Institute of Horticulture. The institute, he said, hail lrf-en registered under the Incorporated Society Act, and considerable organising work had been done. The membership stood at 160, and the Government grant of £ for £ up to £l5O had been received. The objects of the institute included a wide range of subjects'—educational, aesthetic, and commercial; but at the inception it would bo necessary to concentrate on some one or more objects of national value. The improvement of standard varieties of fruits had already received attention. Colonel Pow, secretary of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, said his union felt that the lime was due for closer tion between all producers' organisations. Each had its own detailed questions, but on such subjects a.s taxation, labour, and freights they had common interests, and should have a method of taking joint action in the producers’ interests. Politics were looming up largely, oJid, although the Farmers’ Union was non-political, it had taken the step of inviting eight members of Parliament to consult with it on farmers’ questions, notably the desire for farmers’ banks. The chairman assured Colonel Pow that the fruitgrowers fully realised the necessity of closer cooperation between different bodies of producers. A remit was adopted recommending that protection be afforded to raisers of now Varieties of fruits. The executive was requested to. consider the desirability of a portion of the orchard tax being devoted to dealing with orchard pests. i It was roeolved that the federation cooperate in the movement to establish trade with the East. The retiring directors (Messrs Attwood, Cone, Izard, and Robertson) were reelected. It was decided that the federation cooperate with the Farmers' Union in taking steps to deal with the depredations of rooks in gardens and orchards. The deputation which waited on the General Manager of Railways reported that a promise had been given that the number of trucks for the carriage of fruit would be increased in the immediate future: an undertaking had also been given that as the fruit industry increased the rolling slock would be made adequate to deal with it. The conference then concluded.