FRUITGROWERS OF OTAGO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19498, 5 June 1925, Page 13

FRUITGROWERS OF OTAGO

ANNUAL MEETING OF DELEGATES. THE SEASON'S PROSPECTS./ The delegates lo the Otago Provincial Fruitgrowers’ Council held their mid-season meeting iri the A. and P. Society s board room yesterday. Mr K. C. Reynolds presiding. The chairriuin briefly welcomed the delegates and made feeling reference to the death of Mr Massey. The directors’ progress report staled inter alia : 'Hie council continued to carry out most valuable work" in connection with export matters, and shippers had expressed their appreciation of the efficient service received from the organisation, which. was a valuable link in the system of co-operation so necessary to primary producers. The work of the council had been somewhat more complicated this year owing to the shutting out. of port ion of two shipments, and to the fact lliat the shipments had been spread over seven steamers instead of three as was the case lost year. Notwithstanding this, all fruit, hail been despatched witlioul serious hitch, and shippers could rest assured that their interests were well looked alter in this respeol. ’the quant hies of fruit for export had shown a _ gralitying increase over the original estimate, the figures being—36,463 eases, a.s against 40.CC0 cases in 1924. The work of handling the shipments had been greatly increased owing to the failure of the Tainui and Argyllshire to take their full quota, the former shutting out 1128 cases and the latter 291. Fortunately, for these two lots was found in the Inrakina and Athenio. and it was hoped that the shipping companies would meet, the .shippers reasonably in regard to any charges incurred in holding over the fruit. The secretary reported that in addition to the shutting out of portion of the Taintii’s shipment, he was not satisfied that the cargo had received reasonable treatment, and correspondence lo and from Messrs Murray, Roberts, and Co. 'bearing on the matter had resulted. The ship’s agents in replying assured the council that every tiling would bo done to ensure the safe carriage of the fruit, but the secretary Intel indicated .that '.should the fruit arrive in Ixid order, more would be beard of the matter. At the request of a largo number of shippers and others the council had, through Mr .1 Horn, presented a petition asking that the Miller’s Flat-Rox burgh railway line he extended on the west side of the River Molvneux instead of the east, nut had pointed out that it was not desired in any way to ctmse dissension or delay I lie construction of the line by the route which the department might consider most suitable. The directors had been in touch with the Railway Commissioner with u view to having imoorted timber carried at less than the existing rates for foreign timber, but so far had not received any satisfaction, although indications were that no reduction would be granted. The directors had pointed out the probable inconvenience which would be caused in regilrd to shipments to Monte Video owing to the fact that no Consular Agent for Uruguay was resident in Dunedin. Ihe matter had been taken up with the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, which Had promised its help towards securing an appointment for next, shipping season. An effort had been made to encourage Canterbury to commence o\jjort, and several smtdl lines had been sent. Considerable oorrosjiondence hud passed between the Minister of Agriculture and the council in the matter of sending Mr Miller tp the London Conference of Entomologists, but, the replies both to this and the federation’s strong representations had not been successful, although a half promise was made to send the assistant entomologist who was a.t present in America. This it was believed had been carried out. . , , , In conclusion, (he directors wished to express their hearty appreciation of the loyal support of the great bulk of shippers, which was essential if Otago desired to maintain'her excellent position in the overseas markets. The report, was adopted. PR ov 1N GIA L GO N F EI IE N CK .

Tim annual provincial conference of (lie (Hugo Fruitgrowers was held at Ihe conclusion of the mid-season meeting, Mr 11. Turner (representing the Dominion Federation) presiding! 'Fho following delegates were present: —Messrs Geo. Moody and A. O. Bridgeman (Upper Ululha), W. (Ripponvale), J. "Wins’? A. Kiunairu, A. Ashworth (Tenhal Otago), K. George, .1. 11. Wuigth, jun., T. U. Capon, N. M. Handed (Teviot), C. D. Stronach (Eft rick), A. M’Donald (Taieri). d. It. Hinton (Otago Association), it- Jefferies, W. il. Kenworth, D. Leslie, S. I*. Minims, H. A. Stevens (titago Co-op.), and E. C. Reynolds (Otago Conned). Tho directors subnutted the following report, which stated, inter alia; Tho past season's work had produced good results, and it had keen possible for the board to carry out successfully a number of instructions given by tho delegates at the previous year's conference. The satsfaclory financial position of the federation should also make possible the increase of the work that wopld bo done for tho benefit of the industry as a whole. The fruit industry was now taking its place among tho other important primary industries of the dominion, and with tho development which had taken place in tho export side, fruit was now contributing by means of its export to tho general welfare of the dominion. The principal matter left in tho hands of tho directors at the last conference was the securing of legislation to give control of export and for the provinces requiring it control of fruit for local markets. Although considerable opposition was put up from some’ districts the. Rill finally passed the House with some amendments with which most fruitgrowers was now familiar. The Otago district had decided to take advantage of the provision made for any districts wishing to stop out of export control, consequently the board had been elected from other districts. The first, meeting of the board wa 3 held in March, and arrangements were made for the federation to carry on tho export work for this season, and also to provide a secretary and office accommodation until such time as tho board was ablo to go fully into the position. It was at present anticipated that this season’s export shipments would probably not reach last season’s totals, but exact figures would be available at tho time of conference. An increase was to be expected in (lie Auckland and Hawke’s Bay figures, while Canterbury would come in with some small shipments. At last conference an instruction was given for the federation to go into tho question of imported cases mainly for exporting districts. Quotations were secured, and as a result orders wore received for 100,000 Canadian hemlock cases from the Nelson districts. This shipment was landed direct into Nelson, and the cases compare more than favourably with tho local case available both as regards price and quality, 'the shipment wu s financed with the help of a guarantee, and arrangements made for payment to bo taken from the export advances. Indications was that iho prices would he much more favourable this year, and a much larger quantity should bo ordered. As a result of representations made by the directors, the Government increased the guarantee to cover 503.000 cases during the present season. Tho promise of the guarantee by the Government expired with the completion of the 1925 export, and it would be necessary for tho Fruit, Control Board to take this matter up. In summarising the accounts as prosen toil up to December 31, 1924, a fairly substantial increase had been made in the trading department of the federation. This was accounted for to a certain extent by £4500 on account of the imported cases, but it still loft an increase of approximately £6OOO in ordinary supplies. Profit an<l loss account showed a satisfactory credit ■ balance which has been transferred to the accumulated capital account. 'lho amount icceived from the Government. for orchard tax was approximately £2OO less than last year, but against that tho cost, of collection was only about half of what, was chargeable for the 1923 season, owing to tlie fact that during that year some previous years’ costs were included, 'i ho amount being received each year on account of orchard tax was becoming smaller, and for trie 1926 year we must be prepared to receive a considerably smaller amount, us under the Export t onlrol Bill payers of export, dues were exempt orchard tax for the amount that they had. to pay to the Export Control Board. In moving the adoption of the animal report the Chairman congratulated growers generally upon having passed through a fairlv satisfactory season. The fact that

the output hud exceeded 60,000 cases was an indication that stone fruit conditions were not dull. The question of the Fruit Control Act had been discussed during the year and had entered on its trial. The coining year brought something equally ns important and that was the Farm Employes’ Union award. If such an award were made it would be a serious thing for growers, as an award with such high rates of pay, hours, and overtime was impossible in any branch of fanning. The report was adopted. The following were appointed to represent the Otago Fruitgrowers at the dominion conference: —Messrs Kmnaird, Wing, Lind, and Waigth. The following remits to be presented to the annual conference of the federation, to be held m Wellington on June 10, were deall with: — "That the Department of Railways bo requested to increase its stock of covered trucks, so that it will not bo necessary to despatch fruit nt coal wagons” (le iv.auwhata). —Approved. "That in view of the menace oi downy mildew an embargo be placed on Austiabar grapes grown in affected areas t'J'e Ka.uwhata).—Approved. "That a definite policy of orchard experimental work be undertaken by the department" (Hawke’s Bay).—Approved. "That the department be a-sked to ,m----vistigate the possibility ol manufacturing ' refined sulphur from New Zealand deposits” (Hawke's Bay).—Approved. “That owing to the serious difficulty to obtain sufficient, cases when required, the Government be asked to lift the duty on imported shooks” (Hawke s Ray).—Approved. ‘ That some scheme, bo developed whereby poor quality fruit can be utilised so that it is not placed on the open market (Te Kauwliatn)—Approved. "That tiio conference consider the question of the organisation of a provincial marketing scheme for fruit’’ (Gratia). Apprr. ved. . , '"ihat the horticultural section of tno Department of Agriculture be. constituted a separate department” (Henderson). —Approved. , , “That, having regard to the scarcity Of 1 1 tiined packers and graders and to the rapidly increasing demand for Ihat class of labour, the Horticultural Division be hi god to appoint an expert to organise and teach packing classes m the principal export r oot res, and particularly in conjunction with technical schools where possible (Bluffs Coy.). -Approved. / . • “That the Department of Horticulture be requested to arrange orchard instructional classes in fruit arcus, on the lines of the agricultural classes at present being held” (Executive).— Approved. “That the regulations regarding the use of certain cases of pears lor local market' he relaxed during the stone fruit season (Toviot). --Approved, . , . , “That legislation lie introduced whereby it shall be made legal for any consignee and (or) his duly accredited agent or representative, for the purpose of verification of his account sales, to have access to the books of any agent or agency, to whom tie has entrusted the sale of his when such sale is on a commission basis. —Ap--1 “Thai the Horticultural Division Ik? urged to arrange for the compilation annually of statistics showing—(l) 'fhe quantity of (a) apple-, (b) pears marketed by the owner of each legbicred orchard in the dominion during past season; <2) the estimated crop of (a) apples, (b) pears during the coming season ; (a) the making of such return to be compulsory as in the ease of agricultural ret,unis, ami to be forwarded to the _ Horticultural Division not later than January 10 in each year, such further information to be collated as may be deemed uecesaary to help arrive at an understanding ot the requirements 'l ll ' market, and to gauge t.he quantity of the surplus which should' be exported in order to stabilise I the local market., that as early as possible in June of each year the HorticulturalDivision be asked (o issue a return showing the quantity of (a) apples, (b) peat's m fhe various cool stores throughout the dominion. as at May 31” (Bluff«).-;n.e first clause was stated to be already m eltect, the second and third wen- opposed, and the fourth was supported. w Thfil hi view, of flip fjit’f that tho southern cast; limber arrived several months after delivery promised and timber is very dirty and in bad condition, that the federation he requested to endeavour to obtain a rebate to growers concerned” (Mahana). — Deft open. . . , , , , . “That the federation be asked to grant 25 per cent, of the orchard collected in any district for advertising” (Canterbury Association). -Approved. “Thai careful inquiry he made whether russeting is regarded as a blemish or defect in (he markets of the United Kingdom, and, in the event of replies' being in the negative that steps he taken to treat this question with greater liberality when framj„., regulations for season 1926” (1 nsmanmn Frith packers).—Approved. ••That, tlie federation be asked to bring' pressure to bear on the Goverinnent to ,go in for more research work in connecttqn with control of insect and fungoid posts” (Central Otago), was approved. "That the Government provide more money and more men for research work in all mailers pertaining- to fruitgrowing (Hunpai), was „lso approved. “That efforts lie made to keep out mealy bug and other posts, which arc not at present, in the district, from Central Otago (Central Otago).—Approved. The next remit was in respect to the department—“ That the department he asked to co-operate with the Cawthron Institute in its efforts to discover distribute an effective parasite to combat the earwig (Toviot). —This was carried. "That in view of its advanced maturity, Mr Mtwood lie asked to make a special report, on condition of Marlborough fruit, packed by the department's instructor, and especially Cox's Orange, concerning condition of Ritter Pit” (Marlborough Association), was approved. “That this society, in view of the risk of the spread of disease, requests the federation to get the use of second-hand eases by growers absolutely forbidden (Ripoonvale). Approved. “That the Government he asked to put a total embargo on American fruit importa lions” (Executive).— Approved. Several other remits dealing with constitution and tho affairs of the federation were also dealt with.