THE FRUIT INDUSTRY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22164, 18 January 1934, Page 10

THE FRUIT INDUSTRY

HAWKE’S BAY GROWERS DISPUTE WITH CONTROL BOARD. (Peb United Press Association.) HASTINGS, January IT. After a discussion lasting nearly three and a-half hours, during a large part of which a motion endorsing the Fruit Control Board’s 1034 policy was debated, a gathering of about 200 fruitgrowers last evening decided to attempt further conciliation in connection with the present dispute between the board and the growers, whom one speaker described as “the insurgents.” At a meeting on Monday evening, a large number of signatories to a petition asking for an alteration in the board’s policy decided to present the petition, and thus free local growers from the board’s control, unless certain demands were met by the board before January 31. That decision was in the nature of an ultimatum, and last evening’s meeting was expected to bring the dispute to a settlement, ono way or the oilier. Several representatives of the board were present, and, towards the end of the meeting, they suggested that as the petition could be presented and the petition’ committee’s aims realised at any time up till August 31, there was still time for a further attempt to arrive at some agreement. 'Mr Jull’s suggestion was taken up with enthusiasm by both parties to the dispute; and representatives of the board promised that local exporters would be advised by January 25 whether the Dominion conference of exporters or the annual Dominion conference of growers can be held cither in July or during the first week in August for the' purpose of considering the petitioners’ requests.