OTAGO PROVINCIAL FRUITGROWERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20287, 21 December 1927, Page 4

OTAGO PROVINCIAL FRUITGROWERS.

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL.

The fourth annual general meeting of the Otago Provincial Fruitgrowers’ Council, Lid., was held at Roxburgh last Saturday. Mr E. C. Reynolds, president, occupied tho chair, and there was a full attendance of delegates from all the fruitgrowers’ associations in Otago. Messrs W. K. Dallas and W. Lloyd Williams, Government orchard instructors, were present. In welcoming them, tho Chairman referred to tho valuable assistance and advice they had rendered to the shippers.

Telegrams wishing the council every success, and apologising for their unavoidable absence, were received from Mr O. J. Hawkcn, Minister of Agriculture, Messrs T. C. Brash and H. E. Napier, president and manager respectively of the New Zealand rruitgrowors’ Federation, Colonel Gray, and Mr William Lind. In welcoming the delegates, the Chairman congratulated members on tho fact that tho past season’s returns for export fruit had touched high-water mark for prices, and this had compensated in some measure for the reduction in quantity. Prices for Otago fruit compared more than favourably with those received elsowhore; due in some measure to tho fact that their coloured varieties had arrived at a time when other supplies of these varieties were getting short. In moving tho adoption of the report and balance sheet, the Chairman pointed out that the report had been made very comprehensive and indicated very clearly tho activities of the council and tho valuable work that i>ody had performed In tho interests of shippers. Tho aim of tho directors had been to coniine the efforts of tho council solely to the purposes for which it was primarily formed, and not to aim at making or accumulating profits at the expense of the shipper. The results of tho year’s business showed a falling-off in tho net result of only £62 14s 9d. This he considered a remarkably good result, in view of the fact that there had been a drop of nearly 50 per cent, on tho output for the season. Matters concerning Legislature, Customs, railages, etc., had been carefully watched, and in these matters the council had worked in close touch with the Fruitgrowers’ Federation for the protection of those engaged in the industry. New Zealand fruit had established a reputation for quality on tho overseas markets, and he strongly urged shippers to leave no stone unturned to maintain tho standard which had helped towards that end.

Mr C. Weaver (Earnscleugh), in seconding the motion, endorsed the chairman’s remarks. The motion was carried by acclamation.

The following committeemen were reelected unopposed:—Messrs W. Lind, O. D. Stronaoh, A. M’Donald, D. Leslie. Messrs Mirams and Mac Lean were reappointed the auditors. On tho motion of Mr Michelle, seconded by Mr Laiug, it was resolved that the directors’ remuneration for the year ended October 31, 1927, bo £ICO, and tho directors’ remuneration for the year ending October 31. 1928, on the motion of Mr M’Evven, seconded by Mr Gilmour.

VISIT FROM THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE.

The Secretary (Mr H. Turner) read a letter from Mr Hawken expressing his regret that pressure of business had prevented him from visiting Otago. The mooting expressed the opinion that it was very desirable that Mr Hawken, who obviously was in hearty sympathy with tho many difficulties with which tho industry had to contend, should visit Otago, and the matter was left in tho hands of tho executive, FRUITGROWERS’ JOURNAL-

The Secretary reported that owing to the fact that the Fruitgrower had been absorbed by the Smallholder, tho federation had under consideration the issue of a monthly publication devoted essentially to the industry. It wa a hoped to have the first issue available in February, and that it would be possible to make the distribution free to all payers of orchard tax.

The meeting was of the decided opinion that tho industry was of sufficient importance to warrant the establishment of its own official journal, and heartily approved of the action of the lederation. ORCHARD TAX ACT.

The Chairman stated that a copy of the new Orchard Tax Act had been obtained, and asked the secretary to explain the principal points of interest to growers. The Secretary explained that the minimum orchard tax had been increased to ss, but that no tax would bo payable on any orchard of less than 120 trees, roughly representing one acre. The tax would n»w be payable in March instead of November, the latter date having proved very inconvenient to growers. Payers of orchard tax who were under tbo jurisdiction of the Fruit Control Board would not now bo exempt from orchard tax, as was formerly the case. A matter of vital importance was the inclusion of a clause providing authority for a levy of a maximum of 5s per acre per annum for the control of Qroblight, should this ever bo necessary.

In connection with the control of fireblight, the Secretary read a letter from the director of horticulture asking that associations express their approval or otherwise of the setting up of a fircblight control committee-in order to assist the department in tho drawing up of regulations.

The meeting expressed its decided approval of tho proposition, and tho chairman asked delegates to convey tho recommendation of the mooting to their respective associations when the matter carno under consideration.

It was pointed out that the Taieri was not included in the list of areas under tho Fireblight Control Act, and it was loft in tho hands of tho executive to approach tho authorities in tho matter. EXPORT GUARANTEE. The Chairman stated that the executive had been in close touch with the federation in regard to an increase in the announced export guarantee (10s per case gross), and that it was hoped that an increase would be granted as a result of the joint deputation which had waited on the Minister in Wellington. Meantime this matter was holding up the issue of the new export regulations, but the 'apartment had promised to have these in the hands of shippers at the earliest possible moment.

The question of shipping space for 1928 season was brought up, and the Secretary explained that after consultation with tho Government orchard instructors, the council had pencilled four steamers, to load at fortnightly intervals, commencing the first week in April. Mr Waigth brought up the matter of a special printed apple wrap for Otago apples, and moved that the council take tho matter up with the federation. Mr C. D. Stronach seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously, tho meeting expressing its views very decidedly in support.

RAILWAY MATTERS. Tho Chairman explained that Mr H. P. West. railway traffic manager, was at the meeting in Roxburgh, and had undertaken to meet delegates and growers at the conclusion to discuss railway matters with them. All present were urged to attend. ISLAND FRUIT TRADE,

Mr Leslie brought up the matter of the Island fruit trade. He said ho thought it was a matter all were interested in, as the obtaining of a direct service to Dunedin was in tho interests of Otago as a whole. Ho accordingly moved: “ That this conference of fruitgrowers recognises' with satisfaction the decision of tho Government to give the Dunedin fruit market tho opportunity of obtaining Island fruit direct by arranging for the new steamer t-o come to Dunedin _ thus opening up the possibility of reciprocal trade 'with tho Islands. A copy of this resolution to be forwarded to tho Minister of Agriculture and to the Prime Minister.” _ Tho motion was seconded by Air Wing and carried unanimously. Air Leslie also moved; “ That every effort he made by this council to negotiate for consignments of fruit to the T-lands in order to facilitate return freight for tho direct steamer.” The motion was seconded by Air Stromi'li r, -d carried unanimously.

The meeting closed uith a vote of thanks to the chair, in tu-knowl •dgirr which the Chairman wished everybody the eomriliment s of the season, and ex-prc-serl the hope that bumper crops would lie the order of the day.