FRUIT INDUSTRY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22366, 13 September 1934, Page 2

FRUIT INDUSTRY

ACTIVITIES OF FEDERATION NEED FOR CO-OPERATION (Per United Press Association.) r WELLINGTON, September 12. Hie Fruitgrowers’ Federation Conference was opened to-day formally by Mr ”• Poison, M-P., president of the f armers Union. Addresses were also Siven by Mr K. J. Holyoake, M.P., and Mr H. Al. Campbell, ALP. In Lis address to members, the president (Mr T, C. Brash) erapha- [ sised the need for co-operation in cnercomiug the difficulties at present facing the world. They might ask what could they do as primary producers in this very small portion of the Empire to bring about an improvement, he said, first of all, they must establish amongst themselves a rea j co-operative ideal. • i r !] e,) . B P®aking of co-operative ideals, said Air Brash, “1 am always tempted to quote Denmark. Those of 3'ou who know something of the growth 6t co-operation in that country are aware that Denmark leads the world in cooperation amongst primary -producers. The reason, 1 think, is to be found in the establishment some 70 years ago of what came to be known as * folk schools.’ I have boon deeply interested in theellort ot the farmers’ Union in Otago, Canterbury, and Southland to establish young farmers dubs. In connection with these there was recently arranged in each of tne three centres—Dunedin, Christchurch, and Invercargill— a special week for young farmers. About ,100 young men attended each of these, and the lectures given and the discussions which took Place, together with the facilities offered tor social intercourse, and the securing ot information on matters which, although not all of them actually pertaining directly to farming, certainly led to increased knowledge, have been unanimously appreciated. It may be that this is a beginning of a. ‘folk school’ movement in New Zealand.

‘ Could not something of this kind be begun amongst your young fruitgrowers? Of this I am certain, that the cooperative ideal amongst fruitgrowers will disappear in the nest generation if the only opportunity our young people have for studying co-operation is attending meetings where bickering, criticism, and faultfinding are paramount—where the champions Of co-operation are for ever on the defensive. Co-operation, originating it may be in small groups, but ever widening out until it is the policy of provinces and countries—yet, and the policy between nations—this. I believe, is the only hope for the maintenance of world trades. Our task in this New Zealand Fruitgrowers’ Federation, which is a growers' co-operative organisation, is to uphold this ideal. And if the federation is to be wbat it might be, then each of us must stand for the team. The effort that is being made to improve the local marketing of fruit under the Dominion mark scheme is an attempt to give the consumer a better fruit and at the same time give the fruitgrower an adequate return for a standard article. The task of doing this is bristling with difficulties, and the staff can never f put it over’ if growers do not get behind it. It is an honest effort to improve conditions for everyone.

“In the federation’s trading activities I in spraying, packing, and mannral mateI rials, etc., the growers have, in the I main, supported their own organisation, j The sole aim of the federation is not to | sell cheaper than everyone else. tlad this been its ideal it would have been in liquidation long since. The supplying of good materials at a reasonable price and at the same time strengthening the organisation financially so that it may assist growers in these difficult days, has been the policy of the_ directors. The financial position is steadily improving. Adequate provision has been made for bad and doubtful debts. The directors have again decided to transfer to the credit of growers in the rebate account 50 per cent, of the net profit. The growing financial strength of the federation has enabled it to carrv at times very heavy book debts in the way of amounts owing by growers. Reference should be made to the fact that the Fruit Board has decided to establish its own offices and staff for doing all its own work in Wellington so that revenue from this source will shortly disappear. This federation was responsible for the movement which prevailed upon the Gov; eminent to place the Fruit Control Act upon the Statute Book and which brought the Fruit Board into being. We trust that the establishment of its own, complete organisation will work out to the benefit of growers. At the end of April the federation lost the services of Mr 11. E. Napier, who had been general manager for a period of 12 years. Mr Napier decided to commence business on bis own account, and the directors parted from him with profound regret. It was during Mr Napier’s management that the federation grew from a very small beginning to the strong organisation it is to-day, and we owe bim much. The directors decided to appoint as the new manager Mr A. Osborne, who has been accountant and assistant to Mr H. E. Napier during almost the full term of Mr Napier’s management. Mr J. HParker, who has held the position of branch manager in Nelson, has been appointed assistant manager. Both of these men have already proved their worth to the organisation, and we ask for both encouragement and support from growers,”