MARKET GARDENERS, LTD., WELLINGTON.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19696, 25 January 1926, Page 11

MARKET GARDENERS, LTD., WELLINGTON.

SUCCESSFUL TEAR FOR GROWERS’ CO-OPERATIVE. One of the most remarkable facts to relate in connection with the fruit and produce trade in Wellington is the wonderful success attained during the year 1925 by Market Gardeners, Ltd., Wakefield street. It is no exaggeration to say that never, ■during the past 16 years in New Zealand, has any Growers’ Co-operative made such splendid progress against such an array of proprietary competition as las this enterprising and successful body of growers. The Wellington public will recall how, in the year 1923, owing to the demands of the Wellington fruit brokers not meeting with the approval of the Hutt Valley, Otaki, and Ohau growers, Market Gardeners, Ltd., a purely growers’ co-opera-tive, commenced business in the old Te Aro Railway Station. This was the signal for much humour and more pessimism. The fact that this business is now well into its third year has changed the sense of proprietary humour, and the pessimists are having a bad time. However, in bringing before the interested public some facts re Market Gardeners, Ltd., the most pleasing to relate is that 1925 shows thousands of pounds more turnover than 192-1. Twelve months ago Market Gardeners, Ltd., was reorganised from within, and the balance sheet to be presented to shareholders, at the coming annual meeting, will fully justify the steps taken by the directors in placing the business in the hands of experienced men. Market Gardeners, Ltd., during the past two months, in addition to their regular supplies of fruit and vegetables, have handled over 5000 packages of bananas, apples, and strawberries. Over 700 crates of Canadian onions have also passed through our sales. During the strawberry season just closing, over 1950 crates of Auckland strawberries were offered and sold at our sales. The keen business insight of the directors of Market Gardeners, Ltd., has placed this business in a thoroughly sound and buoyant position. Looking naturally ahead, a very long lease of tenure has been obtained on its present, site, and the directors look confidently forward to the time, not far distant, when Market Gardeners, Ltd., will control the fruit and produce trade in Wellington (Auckland, Wellington, and Dunedin each possess a Growers’ Co-opera-tive). The directors are now engaged upon a programme for the coming season, and should the same rate of progress he attained during 1926 as in the past year there will be every cause to be satisfied. Th future plans embrace many proposals, chief of which, of course, will be the erection of a solid structure, cool stores for fruit, etc. It is worthy of mention, also, that Market Gardeners, Ltd., is run entirely upon the co-operative principle, no outside funds being permitted. —Advt.