FRUITGROWERS' FEDERATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23883, 10 August 1939, Page 12

FRUITGROWERS' FEDERATION

ANNUAL CONFERENCE, " REQUEST FOR MARKETINC SCHEME (Pct United Press Association WELLINGTON, Aug. t. The annual conference of the Fruitgrowers' Federation ' was officially opened by the Minister of Agriculture (Mr W. Lee Martin). About 80 delegates attended. Mr T. C. Brash presid* ing. The order paper contains over 150 remits. , •, .». A resolution expressing regret at the illness of the Prime Minister and Mr P. C. Webb was passed. A deputation was appointed to interview the Acting Minister of Finance and urge that the Government consider placing all primary producers" foodstuffs on the same basis as those of fishermen with regard to the petrol tax rebate, and also to interview appropriate Ministers on other mattew such as the question of the abolition, of heavv traffic fees on orchardists' lorries. Reviewing the fruit year. Mr Lee Martin said the storm and. frost conditions were beyond the control of the Government, and he suggested it might be possible to devise some insurance scheme to meet such a position. 'He iav» the conference an assurance that the Government would give the earliest possible consideration to the report of the committee receiving evidence and considering the proposals to provide a satisfactory answer to the industry's request for a Government marketing scheme, and wou|d do everything possible to put into operation any reasonable and sound proposals.