THE FRUIT INDUSTRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3773, 6 July 1926, Page 22

THE FRUIT INDUSTRY.

CONFERENCE OF GROWERS WELLINGTON, June 30. The annual conference of the Fruitgrowers’ Federation was opened to-day, Sir T. C. Brash being in the chair. There was a good attendance of delegates from all parts of the Dominion. The Hon. O. J. Hawken (Minister of Agriculture), In addressing the conference, said he believed that New Zealand was going to be a great fruit-growing country. Up to the present the growers had had rather an unhappy time. It had taken a long time to establish the industry, but it looked as if, with the advance in the export trade business, from now on would be on a better footing. The Government would continue ita assistance. He said he did not know how much it was going to cost, but he hoped they would not wind up with too much loss. He thought that those engaged in such industries—particularly fruit-growing—were worthy of support from the State. Increased production meant increasing wealth of the nation. He hoped that the Fruitgrowers’ Board would be able to cut down the marketing expenses. The Government had not discussed a guarantee, but he thought it would have to help the industry. Mr Brash said the outstanding feature of the past season was the big increase in production and export. The latter had increased by 210 per cent, over the previous season. He made reference to the increasing appreciation of fruit from the health point of view. Economically the industry was becoming important to the Dominion. There had been an advance hi value from f 175,000 to about £500,000. It was satisfactory to notice that the industry was growing faster than any other primary industry in the country. It' was stated that the earwig pest was causing New Zealand serious alarm and loss. There were signs of it getting out of control. The department was urged to take action towards combating the pest. It transpired that the department had already taken active steps in the direction indicated, and that two officers of the department, one of whom was in America and the other in England, were making special inquiries into this subject, os well as other matters. It was stated that the New Zealand dried fruit trade was a valuable asset to the Dominion. The importations amounted to £700,000 yearly, so that there was a market for dried fruits to that extent. Some fruitgrowers were •live to the possibilities of doing good business provided they could ascertain the right varieties to grow and tbs cost for drying purposes. The department is ti be asked to advise as to the dehydratiou of apricots* peaches, and prunes, the cost of kilns, tic. Tomato cultivation should also bs encouraged. In the Auckland province alone it waa worth £IOO,OOO a year. The Government waa asked to eloas tomatoes os fruit, and all persons growing tomatoes for sale should be compelled by the Act to register.

- July 1. The Fruitgrowers’ Conference adopted the following remits: — That the export Control Board be requested to consider the items involved in packing for export with a view to lessening the cost of packing. That in providing the needed increased accommodation for pre-cooling export fruit the board be requested to bear in mind the desirability, both from the point of view of economy and safe handling, of arranging shipping from the port nearest the area in which the fruit is grown. That the pooling of export fruit and returns for it be strongly opposed. The conference approved of the decision of the Control Board to take a measure of control next season. On the question of the choice of merchant and port. It was agreed that an inquiry be made as to the costs of assembling fruit at shipping ports, keeping records, etc., and where the contracts are entered into; that for such work tenders be called with a view to securing the lowest possible cost, consistent with good work. A remit that the Government be urged to pass legislation that all Asiatics be debarred from coming into New Zealand for 10 years, and that all members of Parliament be asked for their support was carried by a large majority. During the discussion it was stated that the Chinese had captured nearly all the retail fruit trades in New Zealand, and would also control orchards unless they were debarred from coining into the country. Experiences in various parts of New Zealand were cited where the Chinese had completely ousted the white men. One member opposed the remit, and said he did not know what they would do without “John Chinaman” to bring round the vegetables. Only half a dozen voted against the passing of the remit. The delegates agreed that a petrol tax would be the most equitable form of motor taxation. It was carried unanimously that the Government be requested to have the system of motor taxation altered from the present flat tax on motors to a petrol tax, the users of petrol for purposes other than highway locomotion to be allowed a rebate as in the United States of America. It was agreed to approach the Government for a continuation of its guarantee. July 2. At the conference of fruitgrowers a committee was appointed to consider the question of an orchard tax. It was recommended that the Fruit Control Act be amended to enable the Fruit Control Board to pay the federation an equivalent of the amount of the orchard tax; and, further, that the minimum tax be ss, provided the tax is renewed The recommendation was agreed to with the addition that no one shall pay an orchard tax unless he has 120 trees on over. The conference agreed that it be an instruction to the board to interview the Prime Minister before he leaves for the Imperial Conference to ask if he would assist the Dominion fruiterowers in opposing the importance of fruit to Britain from foreign countries, including America. NEW ZEALAND LEMONS. WELLINGTON, July 1. The Fruitgrowers’ Conference unanimously supported the lemon growers’ request for assistance to secure protection from the dumping of Italian lemons, urging the impossibility of competing with low wag-3 and standards of living and debased currency. The wages paid in Italy, it was stated, were for boys 9d, for women Is 2d, and for skilled men 2s Gd to 3s per day, while the lire stands at 136 to the £. To-day a deputation consisting of Messrs S W. House and J. H. Davidson, who were introduced by Mr J. S. Dickson, M.Pmet the Ministers concerned, and were sympathetically received. They explained the facts, stressing the potentialities of lemongrowing as a basic New Zealand industry, and the need to protect it against the Italian standards. It was pointed out that protection would not raise the price of lemons to New Zealand consumers, as no additional protection was sought against countries whose currency and standards were on a par with our own. TEMPORARY IMPORTATIONS SUGGESTED. CHRISTCHURCH, July 2. “We hold that the Government should reconsider the attitude it has taken up on the wheat and flour question and allow the flour mi llers to import sufficient wheat on terms that will permit them to keep their mills going until November, at any rate. The Government could have a safeguard that the millers would guarantee to cover the full cost of such importations, which would be subject, however, to a remission of duties, and to grist grain into flour dthout any profit to them* selves.” - This statement, embodying an important proposition, was made by Mr F. G. Horrell on behalf of a number of men interested in the flourmilling industry who attended the Sun newspaper office this morning. All were wheatgrowers. Mr Horrell and Mr H. Talbot, who were members of he party, are "robably the two largest wheatgrowers in North Canterbury, and they explained that their financial interest in the rise of Id or 2d a bushel in wheat far outweighed any possible dividends from flour milling. “The wheat milling industry is approaching a crisis,” said Mr Horrell. “The average time mills in Canterbury can carry on is two months in the present circumstances.” Mr Horrell explained that his proposition to give the mills a chance to run until November would mean that there would be a minimum of hardship in North Canterbury. There are about 12 mills employing about 80 skilled men. and it would be unfortunate if the employees were thrown upon the labour market at this time.- The buying would have to be done in a large way by the Government. * uarantees could be obtained from the millers under a compensation scheme by which the coat would be proportioned among the North and South Island millers. The scheme could be controlled. nO stocks being carried over into the next season, so that the growers who now have sown wheat would be protected. The growers who are still holding, wheat, would have ample time to quit their stocks before the arrival of the imported grain. Before detailing the situation Mr Horrell explained that both he and several members of the party, includiug Mr Tallot, held bhares in the North Canterbury Milling' 00. (Ltd.). He desired to make that point clear. He held 500 eharee, 250 being paid up, so that

his holding was not large. Mr Tallot held less.

“There is a feeling that the milling industry is rapidly approaching a crisis,” said Mr Horrell. “Tne Minister of Agriculture has announced that he intends to let things take their course. If, however, he does not reconsider a remission under the safeguards of a duty on wheat, an un fortunate position will arise. It is not a question of bluff. The millers cannot mill imported wheat at present and carry on. Tne present position is that, unless there are further importations of wheat and flour,” continued Mr Horrell, “all supplies in the Dominion will run out in the early part of September, leaving the Dominion in need of five months’ supplies —not three months’, as stated by Mr Hawken—for the new grain will not be available for gristing until February." After making a statement to the effect that the mills in North Canterbury could only run on an average for two months longer unless they obtained fresh supplies of wheat, Mr Horrell pointed out that the effect on the unemployment situation was but one adverse aspect. There would also be a loss of bran and pollard. “We consider the facts are quite clear,” added Mr Horrell. “The Minister says he will let things take their course, but wo are here to see if the question cannot a?ain be discussed, and what will be a catas trophe prevented. We want to stick religiously to the present prices of wheat and flour, which will prevent any rise in bread. We want to see men kept in employment and the mills kept running, so in all circumstances we suggest the Government should reconsider the whole question.” Mr Talbot explained that for the past 12 years he had harvested an average of 12,000 bushels a year. His return on one occasion reached 20,000 bushels. He supposed that he was the largest grower in North Canterbury. “What I am concerned about mainly,” he said, “is the position for the next season. If the millers have to close their mills thev will lose their selling connections, so that the growers will be worse off when they come to consider offers by millers for the wheat. We have sown for next season what apnears as likely to be a record acreage. What is gome to be done with all our wheat?” Mr Talbot suggested that it was imperative, in the interests of the industry, that representatives of the millers and growers should have a round-the-table talk and arrive at a better understanding. At present there \vas an atmosphere of mistrust. Millers in particular should lay their cards on the table and practically open their books for inspection. If confidence were built up again the result was assured The conference could make arrangements, whereby, with Government protection, the millers could guarantee to take all of the next season’s wheat so soon as it was in a milling condition. It would be hard to say what might not take place in an open market, for the millers in such circumstances would not be human if they did not take advantage of on over supply. They would buy only as they required. The wheatgrower under present conditions had to wait almost 12 months for his money. He would be forced to sell to meet his obligations, and so would have to take low prices under open market conditions. Mr J. G. A. Ruddenklau, of Oamaru, who was a member of the party, expressed approval of the scheme. He said the farmers would jump at any reasonable offer, by the millers for their next season’s wheat, provided all were taken that was in good milling condition. In a general discussion the members of the party expressed the opinion that the Wheat growers’ Association, now in process of formation, was the proper body to conduct negotiations for a conference with the millers.