THE LATE FRUITGROWER'S CONFERENCE.

Waikato Times, Volume XLII, Issue 3433, 30 June 1894, Page 2

THE LATE FRUITGROWER'S CONFERENCE.

TO TEIE EDITOR. Sir-As uo report of the Fruitgrowers' Conference held in Auckland recently appeared in your paper, and as the matter possesses some interest, not only to the fruitgrowers of Waikato but to your readers generally, I will with .'-your kind permission, briefly relate what transpired there. The President of the Auckland Fruitgrowers' Union (Mr G. B. Hutton) presided at the meeting, which was attended by representatives of nearly every fruitgrowers' .society in the Auckland Provincial District. In his opening address the President stated that the Union now comprised. nine affiliated associations, representing the bulk of the fruitgrowers in the Auckland Province. It was now a powerful organisation, capable of doing much good to the fruit-growing interest, but was much crippled by want of funds. This he trusted the affiliated societies would now rectify. The treasurer later on would more fully explain the position. Since their last conference in November the executive officers of the Union had uot been idle ; a good deal of necessary' preliminary work had been done and various matters of interest to fruitgrowers had been attended to, and he trusted the associations, through their delegates now present, would lay down some definite lines for the guidarce of the executive officers of the Union. The following was the order of the business transacted : -Fruit eases: A lengthy discussion on the question of an uniform casa for large fruit took place. Several specimens of cases were exhibited in the room, each having certain special advantages, but as it seemed impossible to agree upon any one pattern it was finally resoh'ed that the standard bushel case of the Union be one of 2640 cubic inches inside measurement' (equal'to'about 50lb capacity), irrespective of shape, 1 and a smaller case, measuring x 12 x 6 inches inside, be adopted for small fruits. I may explain that this resolution is not necessarily binding on the various associ-

ations, being merely of a recommendatory nature,—lnsect pests: This question, one of the most vital importance to fruitgrowers, was dealt with in a most careful and exhaustive manlier, Captain Bronne, the eminent entomologist, was' present and gave some interesting and instructive information on insects and insect life-besides reading a paper on the subject. One of the most interesting facts related by hira was that certain insects can, by careful training, be taught to subsist on other food than that usually eaten by them, and, provided tho new diet was plentiful, would never afterwards revert to their former food. Then it was possible to train insects to help man in combating 1 other insects that wore injurious to him, Of combo such work could only bo carried out by an entomologist who would neei cureful and efficient assistance to effect practical good, Captain Broune explained that the codlin moth was a difficult pest to cope with on account of its peculiar habits, yet careful research and experiments might find a solution of the difficulty. After a discussion, of an extremely interesting 1 character, it was unanimously resolved:-(l) "That the Government be urged to set apart reserves in vaiious parts of the colony where birds and insects useful toman may be preserved and protected";, (2) ■ that all members of the Union be requested to give permission to entomologists named by the Union to visit their orchards and grounds for'entomological purposes"; (3) that the Government be urged to establish an.entomologioal station in the Auckland district in the interest of farmers ; and fruit-, growers' •; (4) that in view of the vital importance to farmers andfruit-growers that insect pests be suppressed, the Government be urged to grant the sum of £SO annually aud travelling expenses to Capt, Broune for the purpose of entomological work 'in this direction.—Codlin moth: Upon, this question the representatives present were almost unanimous in the opinion that no legislation could help them,, the only. really, efficient help they considered would v ßooner ,or later come , from the entomologist, and it war 're•' solved, 1 "That it is not desirable to intro* duco any codlin moth legislation this session."—A paper on "Spraying," by Mr Bennet (Kepos) and another on "Fungoid Pests," by Mr' Hanlon, were read, both were ably written, the latter especially, being of great value to growers, but owing to the amount of business to be gone through no discussion followed,— Tariff on fruit: This was the next matter' brought before•> • the- conference. The President read some statistics received from the 'Government on this matter from which it appeared that the total value of green fruit imported into the colony last year was as follows:—From the Australian colonies: dutiable, £25,052; free, £30,357. From the islands: All free, £36,100; being a total value of £91,509. After placing the matter fully before the Conference, the President invited discussion. His own opinion was that it they wanted a duty imposed on all fruit, they had better ask for a high one. It would then soon be seen whether it would benefit fruit-growers. Some delegates, who were averse to any duty being imposed, thought the matter needed no discussion, but the majority, including the Waikato delegates, objected to this course They considered that the matter should be fully ventilated, The townspeople, who bought their fruit, were highly ptotected in all their avocations, why should fruit-growers, who are compelled to purchase all their requirements from them, have to sell their truit in competition with all this free-imported fruit, It was a most unfair interchange of trade, oppressive and unjust to fruitgrowers. After some discussion it was moved, "That the memorial drawn up by Waikato fruit-growers, praying for a duty upon all imported fruits, be adrpted by the Union, and that a copy thereof be forwarded immediately't'o the Premier," This was carried by 12 votes to 5. It was also moved and carried, that every Association throughout the colony be written to, inviting their cooperation and assistance in this matter," Marketing fruit: This topic'alao evoked a long discussion, all present being agreed that the present rate {Vj per cent) charged for selling fruit was too.highj but opinions were divided as to the best remedy to adopt. The President'stated that all the auctioneers had been approached and invited to lower their commissions, and all had declined. Many suggestions were thrown out, and many methods of selling mooted, and it was eventually resolved, "That the Executive. Committee appoint an agent tosell ifrdlt for members, either by,auction or otherwise," This was merely a permissive measure. Financial: The treasurer (Mr Tonar) read a paper on" The Financial Position of the Union." showing clearly that the work of the Union could not be carried" on efficiently with the present rate of subscription (Is per annum per member). This only brought in a total of £l4—an amount quite inadequate to make the Union a success, He moved that the annual subscription to the Uniou be 5s a member per auuum. The Waikato delegate considered that a 2s 6d subscription (or a total of £35) should meet the case. It was prudent in initiating any new movement to "go slow" to walk before we ran. It was also questionable whether the associations would consent to such a high contribution. After some debate it was eventually carried "That the annual subscription to the Union be Us." Before the Conference adjourned votes of thanks to Captain Broune and the other gentlemen who contributed essays and papers, and to the National Association for the use of their rooms were passed.— I am, etc., War Johns,