FRUITGROWERS

Southland Times, Issue 18970, 18 June 1923, Page 6

FRUITGROWERS

CONFERENCE REMITS. (Per United Press Association). WELLINGTON, June 15. At the conference of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers’ Federation considerable discussion took place on the various remits. Mr T. C. Brash (Nelson) wished to reaffirm the previous remit concerning the Control Board as to whether it should be invested in the federation or in the producers. Mr Allen (Nelson) advocated that a special committee of experts be detailed to carry out the work with the Horticultural Department, and that the matter be first referred to the Hon. W. Nosworthy (Minister of Agriculture) for his discretion before any decisions were made. It was decided that a deputation should wait on the Minister concerning this matter. The question of the reduction of the directors and representatives of the federation was next put before the conference. Mr T. C. Brash (Nelson) asked for an adjournment of this question until the various associations were informed and their suggestions obtained.—Carried. An important question—the charging on cases in which fruit was packed—was dealt with by Mr Cone (Canterbury), who stated that no satisfactory conclusion had been reached, though in Canterbury and Otago the growers were paid for every case of fruit sent into the market. A remit was carried that a charge of 6d on bushel cases and 4d on small cases be made compulsory throughout New Zealand.

The question of remedying the damage caused by fire blight created some discussion. It was urged that certain fruit districts should be declared as infected areas, so that steps could thus be taken to combat this trouble. It was recommended that hawthorn hedges throughout New Zealand be trimmed, and that cutting out be carried on, so that in the process of time hawthorn may be eliminated, and thus prevent the spread of this disease. The Chairman (Mr Robertson) stated that a wireless message was to be broadcasted throughout New Zealand from the President of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers’ Conference to urge on all people the desirability of eating more fruit, and explaining the cheapness of this nourishing food. Several delegates from Otago urged the necessity, of an improvement in the conveyances supplied by the railways for fruit transport. • It was agreed to refer the matter to a committee for the purpose of interviewing the Minister of Railways. Referring to the orchard tax question, several delegates expressed themselves very strongly on the non-payment of the tax by some growers. It was carried that the Government be , asked to compel the payment by defaulters. The following remits were also carried: That all spraying materials be sold under Government guarantees; that protection be afforded to raisers of new varieties of fruit trees; that no duty be charged on fruit trees or stocks imported for the purpose of obtaining new varieties; that the Government be asked to go into the whole question of the orchard industry; that the New Zealand Fruitgrowers’ Federation appoint a (ravelling sidesman to assist in the distribution of supplies.