THE FRUIT INDUSTRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3614, 19 June 1923, Page 9

THE FRUIT INDUSTRY.

CONFERENCE OF GROWERS. INCREASED EXPORT WANTED. WELLINGTON, June 13. The serious position of the fruit industry was discussed at the annual conference of the Dominion Fruitgrowers’ Federation today. 1 he Hon. W. Nosworthy said he was sorry for the position of the fruit industry. It had been suggested that a commission should .be set up to go into til' matter, but lie did net altogether favour the suggestion. tic felt that something was necessary if they were to make a success of the industry. There appeared to be a tremendous difference between prices on farm and prices at which fruit was retailed. Ho knew the seriousness of the position, and that it had affec-ted many very disastrously. How they couid remedy matters was the problem. Ho far as they were able the officers in his department would give every assistance. The President (Mr A. M. Robertson) said iho growers must look to the Government for guidance. Several schemes were coming forward. They believed there were ways out. They were pleased to note the hardening of prices in England, and to see that there was a better market in America than had been thought of it at first. They had to grow better fruit. Mr R. I’. Hudson, M.P., impressed on Ministers that they were representing those who were up against it. Little could be done without Government assistance. The industry was one of the most important to the country. Air F. Cooper, representing nurserymen, contrasted the retail fruit prices with the return to the growers, and said that there must be a tremendous leakage in the distribution. If the public could buy at half the present prices there would be ten times the present consumption. The annual report referred to the renewal of Government guarantee, the securing of advances from the Rank of New Zealand, and the allocation of refrigerated space, as assisting export; also the new branding regulations and the universal label. The export for the season was approximately 140.000 cases. Ruling prices had been low, and the consideration of methods of irm proving the marketing conditions was vital. At the Fruit Conference. Air T. C. Brash, of Nelson, moved—" That this conference’ urge the necessity of a Fruit Export Control Board and press u on the Government to pass the necessary legislation.” He maintained that it was necessary in the interests of the industry. It was simply an extension of the co-operative principle. The board would be elected by the producers, with representatives appointed by the Government. lie thought that all primary industries would eventually have control boards, not only for export, as was the case with the Meat Control Board. When the Meat Control Board was proposed it was stated that the meat industry was in a desperate situation, but it was in a no more desperate plight than the fruit industry, while the success of the ATeat Control Board was unquestioned. With regard to the dairy industry, 80 per cent, of the producers were in favour of a control hoard, but whether they would get it remained to be seen. So far as fruit was concerned, the control would be necessary over tho markets in New Zealand as well as in the export. What was wanted

was a board which would have power to bring down a marketing scheme. This matter would need to be explained to the producers if it was to go through, and it would need to be handled with great care, so that the board would act with the approval of the producers. It was a matter of paramount importance to the industry. Air F. E. Nottage (Nelson) seconded the motion, urging that it was the most important question before the conference. Such a board could bring down many improvements which would help the industry, but w T hich could not be introduced if they depended on voluntary effort, The produc tion was increasing, and they should get more fruit overseas. He suggested that the chairman of such a board should be an officer of the department, but sue!; an officer would be seriously handicapped in bringing into effect a dominion-wide scheme. lie should be a man with a wide commercial experience. Tho board should hare extensive powers for bringing its proposals into operation, gradually including regulation and d'stribution in New Zealand, export, and also a marketing scheme, if considered desirable. Air J. Allen said Nelson had sent 84.0C0 cases into Wellington this season, and for the future the production would be greater than the consumption. They had reached a stage in which it was. absolutely necessary that a large export trade should go on. In Nelson they had reached the limit to which they could go without assistance. They were handicapped in the local market by having Cook Strait to negotiate. With regard to the first half-dozen shipments to England, all would get soma return except the producer, as the cost of getting them to England was as much as they realised. They must have a control board which wouid be sympathetic to the growers. A sub-committee should meet the Hon. W Ncsworthy, Minister of Agriculture, who had supported the Aleat Control Board, and was supporting the appointment of a dairy control board, and would give the support required to get a fruit control board. Mr G. H. Green (Auckland) and Air John Bennetis (Otago) supported the proposal, iho latter stating that unless they soon found some outside market the game would not be worth the car.dle. They would, however, like to know more about how the board of control would act. Mr W. D. Southeott (Hawke’s Bay) asked —Would those who had advocated Socialism in tho primary industry say what were the causes of the trouble? They talked about over-production and not enough consumption; but did not give the cause. Some of them wanted to put the top on tho chimney before they had got the foundations right. Let them think what they were doing, for fruit included their peaches, strawberries, and currants. He concluded: "Don’t let jn the small end of the wedge, or thev will have you by the hair of the head. Know what you are voting for before you commit yourself.” After further discussion it was decided to form a committee to consider the matter and report to the conference later. Evidence is to be taken. June 4. At the annual conference of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers’ Federation the Director-General of Agriculture (Dr C. J. Reakes) said the department appreciated very thoroughly the difficulties which the fruit industry had to contend with, and also appreciated the fact that it was desirable and necessary that every endeavour should be made, not only to overcome those difficulties, but also to get the industry further advanced on the line of reaching a thorough prosperous condition. 'I he prosperity of the industry had been seriously retarded bywar. The crux of the whole position was the difference between iho price paid at the orchard and the price the consumer had to pay. So far as export was concerned the department was naturally unable to exercise any control over the prices obtained in the export market. It was hoped that Air Atwood’s visit to England would result in great benefit to the industry. It was satisfactory to know that later shipments to the Argentine had given very good results. A discussion took place on the question of duty on imported apples. The Hawke’s Bay Association proposed that in view of the steady growth of the apple industry, and the facilities for cool storage over long periods, the executive of the federation approach the firms responsible for the importation of apples from overseas and ask them to restrict their importations to one small shipment for the Christmas trade. It was urged by one or two growers that the Government be asked to impose a prohibitive duty on American apples. Other speakers maintained that the existing duty’ was almost prohibitive. It was pointed out that there were large shipments of apples to Honolulu, and if a further duty were "imposed it would probably lead to retaliation by America. It was agreed that the question be referred to the federation for consideration. The conference discussed Air Campbell’s proposal for voluntary grading. _ He said the department could not exercise proper control if compulsion were used, because there were 7000 packers in the dominion. He was quite in favour of a scheme of compulsion, but maintained that it was not practical at present. Air Turner, representing the distributors, stated that they were in favour cf compulsory grading, and believed it would come in the near future. He regarded Air Campbell’s scheme as temporary. Under a voluntary system they would always have the growers either inefficient or ignorant, who would submit fruit below the correct grade. They were certain that a compulsory scheme would increase the growers’ income by 10 per cent. They said the auctioneers were ready to cooperate with the growers in any proposal for better Success would not be attained until there was compulsory standardisation, regulation of supplies, and pooling of results. About 20 delegates spoke, and all were in favour of compulsory grading. Air Campbell’s proposal was adopted, but may be amended when a remit for compul sory notification comes up for consideration to-morrow.