FOR FRUITGROWERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 225, 22 September 1928, Page 12

FOR FRUITGROWERS.

NEXT YEAR'S GUARANTEES.

UNIMPROVED VALUE BATING.

MINISTER'S OPINION ON RELIEF.

The management committee of the Auckland Provincial Fruitgrowers' Council met last evening Mr. S. W. House presiding. Mr. - H. S. Izard reported that the federation had received word from the Minister of Agriculture, stating that the Government guarantee for pears and apples exported in 1929 would be the same as that in 1928, namely, 11/ for extra fancy and fancy, and 7/ per case for good grade. Members expressed appreciation of the guarantee offered, and the following motion was carried unanimously:—"That this meeting of the management committee of the Auckland Provincial Fruitgrowers* Council place on record its deep sense of appreciation of the sympathy manifested in, and the services rendered to, the fruitgrowers and smallholders of the Dominion by the Hon. O. Hawken in his capacity as Minister of Agriculture." The secretary presented an interim statement of the council's business conducted at the Winter Show, and said it was anticipated that there would be a small credit balance. The chairman explained the action taken in regard to the Auctioneers Bill. He said that with the co-opera-tion of the federation and others the deletion of four clauses deemed objectionable had been secured. Matters concerning the rating on unimproved values were fully discussed. The chairman remarked that the infliction pressed very heavily on fruitgrowers and smallholders. He instanced a case where a 25-acre farm in a borough was costing £3 per week in local rates. The secretary read a letter which had been sent to the Minister of Agriculture urging that relief be given on similar lines to the English Act. This based relief to the extent of 75 per cent where land was used for orchard, nurseries or similar purposes. Mr. Green said that Mr. T. C. Brash, president s of the Fruitgrowers' Federation, had been asked to assist, and he mentioned that nurserymen, tomato growers and others were supporting the movement. He had conferre t d with the Minister on the subject and* the latter was sympathetic. Mr. Hawken had expressed the opinion that some relief should be given and had suggested that it might take the form of adding a clause to the Otaki Bill, which was now before Parliament. This bill was intended to give relief to ratepayers in tho Otaki area. i