FRUITGROWERS' ASSOCIATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11254, 7 December 1914, Page 2

FRUITGROWERS' ASSOCIATION.

Tho Canterbury Fruitgrowers' Association met on Saturday evening, Mx W. Wray presiding. A resolution was earned to the effect that the members of the Association should contribute Is per acre to the upkeep of tho Association, less the 2s 6d already contributed. In view of the effect of frosts on tho apple crop in Canterbury, it was dec ded not to exhibit at the Panama Exhibition.

It was resolved to write a letter thanking the Minister of Agriculture for the extension of tho Id per lb guarantee on apples and pears exported to the Homo market. Three now members were elected to tlie Association. It was resolved to ask the Railway Department for an explanation of the sudden refusal to forward soft fruits at the earliest poss.blo opportunity, thus causing considerable loss to fruitgrowers. At tho conclusion of the formal business an address was given by Mr T. J. Burnett on the solo of Now Zealand apples exported to South America, the handling of tho fruit and tho possibilities of the trade. Mr Burnett said that thy fruit was badly handled and much of it was bruised on tho barges at Monto Video and Bio do Janeiro before it reached tho markets. Apple;-, could bo bought- at 7s per case at Lyttelton and the freightage would only amount to about £3. por <•"»', >''-'£ tho apples were retailed at os kl a dozen in South America. The only way out of the difficulty was to establish a Nt-w Zealand vcpi'cM'iitativc to handle the produce.