FRUIT INDUSTRY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1845, 3 September 1913, Page 10

FRUIT INDUSTRY.

GROWERS' CONFERENCE. VARIOUS SUBJECTS DISCUSSED. . Tho Now Zealand Fruit-growers' Federation opened its animal conference in tho Esperanto Hall yesterday. Mr. .Walter Wray (Canterbury) was electcd president. The delegates in attendance were: Messrs. Walter Wray, J. Illingworth, J. Longton, J. 11. Archcr (Canterbury) ; A. Moor, S. Martell, A. M. Robertson, W. Ptirt'is, A. H. Bale, ~\V. Sisson (Hawko's Bay); E. A. Gadd (Central Otago); 1!. P. Hudson, I. Hallan (Nelson) ; Fredk. Sisson (Taranaki); J. li. Tonar (Waitemnta); H. L. Beecroft (Port Alljor! 1 ); A. M'lvio (Tnsnian). Moutero was represented bv Mr. K. J.', Hudson.- Mr. : J. H. Archer. (Canterbury) performed the secretarial duties. Messrs. T. W. Kirk and W. A. Boucher, of the Orchards Division of the Agricultural Department, wcro present. Tho Prime Minister (the Hon. W. F., Massey) was/unable to open the confcrenco offing to liis being detained at an important meeting of the Labour Hills Committee of tho House of .Representatives. Tho Financial Position. . Tlio secretary reported that- the. receipts (levies' from various societies) and the balance from tho previous year totalled £3'2. The expenditure was about £4, so that there was now a credit balance of £28 os. Bd. He added that the receipts could he increased to between £G0 and £70 per year, an amount which would provide a permanent secretary in one of the centres. In a report on the .year's working the secretary remarked that not a groat deal had been done to further the resolutions of .the last, conference. Some growers appeared to he dissatisfied with tho working of the federation, and condemned the annual subscription on. the ground that no benefit was got in return. The federation must not bo dropped, a definite system for funds must be found, and a permanent secretary maintained. < Tho secretary's report and finance statement wero adopted. Australasian Conference. A letter was rtitd "stating that the Union Steam Ship Company, would grant a freo passage to Melbourne to 0110 delegate to the Australasian Fruitgrowers' Conference and a reduction of 20 par cent to not more than two delegates. 4b was resolved to -thank the Union Company. Mr. A. M'Kie, who was the delegato to the last Australasian Conference, reported on the proceedings. The Tariff. Mr. J. Longton (Canterbury) moved that tho Government should be asked to' carry tho timber for fruit eases at half white pino timber rates, and that tho freo railago for 100 miles should be abolished throughout tho Dominion. The following remit from Otago Central was considered at the samo time: •'That tho Minister for Railways should ho asked to reviso the tariff on fruit eases and timber, also on manures." Both were agreed to. Second-hand Cases. It was moved on behalf of tho Canterbury Association that the Government should prohibit the use of sec-ond-hand cases for tho carriage of fruit. ~ . Tho remit met with considerable opposition and was withdrawn. , ■ It was-pointed out that' growers could safeguard themselves against unscrupulous peoplo using their cases by registering their brands. Subsequently it was resolved that all fruit .should bo sold under a registered brand or the grower's namo in full. Shortage of Timber. The prospective shortage of timber was briefly touched on, and it was resolved that the planting of black poplar and other timbers suitablo for fruit cases should bo taken in hand by the Government-,' and that the areas should bo .adjacent fruit-growing districts. Sprays. Mr. J. Longton (Canterbury) moved that all spraying materials should be sold under guarantee of purity and strength, and that representations should bo made to tho Government to give effect to t-his resolution. Mr. It. I'. Hudson (Nelson) 6econded tho motion. Mr. Longton said that many inferior sprays were sold. ■ Ulr. Hudson remarked that a great deal of harm had been done in the Nelson district last season through growers buying certain sprays and following bad directions. He was aware that the Agricultural Department would analyse sprays, but one need not expect all growers to go to the Department. Mr. A. M'Kie (Tasman) moved: '/That all spraying materials to bo used 111 ■ tho "fruit industry should be subjected to a Government test as to purity and efficiency beforo being allowed to bo placed on tho market-." Tho amendment was lost, and tho motion was carried. 111-usage on Railways. Tho handling of fruit by railway officials was the subject of very adverse comment. Mr. A. Moor (Hawko's Bay) said that his association proposed a new kind of 'truck specially designed - for the carriage of fruit. The conference examined a plan of tho truck and approved it. . Mr. J. B. Tonar (Waitemata) remarked that he know of an instance.in which fruit had depreciated to the extent or ■Id. per lb. through rough handling. ft was decided to make representations to tho Government re(|iiestiu» more careful handling of fruit on the railways. Trade With South America. Mr. A. M'Kie (Tasman) moved: ''That it is desirable that this confereuco should urge the Government tc send a representative to South Americp to collect itil'onnation to placo tho export of fruit from New Zealand tc that country oil a firm basis." Another proposal dealt with was thai tho Government bo asked to sccuri space for a conspicuous exhibit at tlic Panama Exposition in 1910, and tha' arrangements bo made by the Depart merit of Agriculture with t-lio varioui fruit growors' associations throinjhou the Dominion to co-operate by provid iug sectional exhibits." Speakers mentioned tho growth o trade with South America, and sai< that tho opening of the Panami Canal would mean further 'opportuuit ies for trade. . • Both tho remits wero agreed to. Fruit for Export. I .Tho proposed fruit regulations (al rc-adv published) wero read by Mr. 1' W. Kirk. . , Tho conforonco disapproved or a lis of tho. export fruit being included ii tho regulations and was against a'maxi mum sko of fruit being stipulated, lm otherwise approved tile proposed regu lations. Other Matters. l A remit which was said to hare bee! L rejected by two previous coherence i «as again defeated. - It came from Can . terbury and read: "That owing to th

t 7 increase ill price of cases, in future all i eases should be charged for." j IF was resolved to support the through booking scheme. j Tho Canterbury delegates advanced a s proposal that it should bo compulsory for tlio weight to be placed on every ' case of fruit. Mr. T. W. Kirk, of the Department of Agriculture, remarked ] that iie had an announcement bearing on tho subject to make later iu the ■ proceedings, and tho motion was withdrawn. Mr. Kirk referred to tho pro- j posed fruit regulations. It was resolved .to ask the Govern- 1 ment- to continue its guarantee of one ; penny per lb. on experimental ship- < mcnts of fruit. . There will be a deputation to the Mill- ' ister for Railways at 10.30 this morning when matters arising out of the conferenco will be touched upon. ' The Government i* to be asked to rc- , movo all protection from red deer within the boundaries of recogniscd fruit- i growing districts. Teviot- remits were struck out as ;thero was no Teviot delegate present. ] ■ To-night tho - members of the conference will dino together. '■