PUP GROWERS' FEDERATION.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1923, 4 December 1913, Page 10

PUP GROWERS' FEDERATION.

"■■'' Executive meeting. •' A..;3Bpcti.iig of tho executive -of tho Now Zealand Fruit Growers' Federation was held in Wellington yesterday. Thero 'wcro^' preSent: Messrs. R. P. Hudson (Nelson), president, A. P. Allport (Nelson), S."Martcll (Hawke's Bay), and R. if.'Archer (Canterbury), secretary. Some discussion took place respecting :thorproposed acreage tax. Attention was drawn to the fact that at the Dominion Fruit Growers' Conference held in Wellington in September the following resolution was made: —"That in the of this conference, it is esseivtiaCthat all federated associations pivy'airs'ubscriptions duo to date, within three months of this conference, and loyally abido by tho present constitution and. system of finance, pending the '.adbpfiou-"or refusal of the., proposed .'cc'mpulsory tux of (id. .per acre, and if this' is •pot doiie, it is advisable that .tho-federation disband."- ■„

'.; The secretary stated that the Moti:.tort, Ta'sman, Horowhcnua, and AVlia■iigarci people had decided.to join the. 'federation. Tho associations already in "tlio i'ede'ratioii were: Canterbury, Central Otago, Stoke, and Hawko's Bay. tiio Waitomata Association (Auckland) had decided not to- join. A letter.was read from.the.Hon. AY. E: iMasspv, Minister of Agriculture, dtiied'October 31, in reply to the depu-taiidii-fromtlio annual Fruit Growers Cuifereiico, in which he stated that fartful'-considcratiou had been given to the matter of the collection of the proposed tax on orchards, the proceeds to bo civon to the federation, but it Was I'elt'that it was hardly the place of tho..Government to undertake the financing'-'of an organisation jn that wav. it would establish a precedent which would probably lead to similar requests from other organised bodies The financing of the federation could best be attained by contributions from the affiliated associations. It the federation proved its capacity tor useful work in the interests of tho industry, tho Government would consider making a grant towards its fundi!. 'Die chairman said thai all they wanted tho Government to do was to collect, tho tax on orchards and hand it back to the federation. -Mr.-ilartcll moved lint- as they had received the aunjport- they wanted iiom

the federated associations within Hip stipulated time, the association should continue its activities Mr. Allport seconded the motion, which vas carried.

Mr. Martell suggested that paid organisers should he appointed to tour tlic country districts, and put iho casfor the federation before the growers. By getting the support of all the growers they would strengthen their request to the Government. It was detided that in the event of a favourable reply being received by a deputation which is to wait on the Prime Minister on the subject, tho suggestion should be given effect to, Messrs. Hudson and Allport to work Kelson and Marlborough, Messrs. Martell and A. M. Rcbortson tho southern half, of the North Island, Mr. Archer Canterbury and Otago. and arrangements to bo inado for Auckland.