MARMING & COMMERCIAL

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2533, 6 August 1915, Page 8

MARMING & COMMERCIAL

THE FRUIT INDUSTRY

0 GOVERNMENT TAX SUPPORTED BY FEDERATION The conference of the. New Zealand : r'Fruitgrowers' Federation: was continued in the Esperanto Hall yesterday, the president (Mr. A. M. Robertson) presidmg. ' A goocl deal of time was spent in discussing the draft of the constitution, . especially to; the matter of finance, which it was proposed, to raise by. imposing Is. per acre registration : fee. ,T The basis of representation was another matter fully, discussed. • Mr. R. P.; Hudson, M.P., Motueka, contended that every man who paid the orchard tax was entitled to a voice in ; the affairs of the federation. He thought the federation should deal with-the in-; • s dividuals,- and not with the association's, .. and -the associations should r be left to • obtain trade supplies for the individual . growers: Ho; did: not think, they , should defer; federation until local associations wero'lforined. .-fMr: Green thought, that before going infertile . details : of.' local; organisation they should -strivo for an effective "central organisation. Mr. Neill said that he understood thatthe Government would' impose v tho: tax ■ if a majority-of the growers required ... it. .'A great -many • growers' would .not • join 'the federation or local association on any'' account. ■ ," ' '• Helping the Constitution. Mr. J.> G. Harkness, National Dairy Association, addressed the conference on the matter of: the constitution, giving tho experiences of • tho. National - Dairy Association; so that they could'be .'. a guidance to .the. members. He gave: a • brief,;, summary. :.of the history of, tho dairying -industry; which, ho said, : was v. probably.smallcr-25'years"ago'than.the . truitgrowing industry of 'to-day. Tho was 'formed. 25 -years ago, and it was soon .realised .that, nothing, could . bs done to adyahse tho industry .if. they. : did not have a . legal standing, whereby - they.-."conld'.ma;co ;and :enterKjnto contracts.. A constitution ivas drafted and agreed to by the North Island, and 15 years" later by the South Island.. \By trading.,in. factory .requisites they, had . effected a great saving to the producer. .• The'greatest work that the ...association : , . lhad undertaken was in having a voice . in tho transport of . their produce to • oversea ports. The contract ;they. had to-day ■ with the shipping companies • saved the dairy • farmers-thousands of • pounds per annum; They . had'- got that/, contract by ■;controlling - the' output. There would bo a great • deal of spade work necessary before thofruitgrowers would get a working, con- ;. 6fcitution, and he advised the members ' wheii'they got good : officers not to in- : . duige in pin-pricking.. He advised the federation to incorporate under the Companies Act, but laid stress; on the fact that it would bo necessary to broaden the memorandum so as to , include; every, possibility that might come up in the future. : Thb'chairman said that ; they proposed to ask the Government to put a, tax onorchards, the . proceeds 'to be: handed back- to the federation, and a petition e was going round! seeking signatures. Thp 4 question was whether they should deal with individuals or associations. That was the difficulty they wanted to get out of.' ' ; ■ I - ' Mr. Harkness said: that the , best thing to do would be to form one big central association, and then "swamp" up the smaller associations. They could do that:if they showed their efficiency. "Co-operate ; and in a few years you will, have littlo regret' for the spade work you! are undertaking liow," said Mr. Harkness before lea ving.; ■ - ' .. The discussion on the constitution was and the conference confirmed the principle' of .trading as" outlined in - the' constitution. .It was also resolved : : that, the federation i should . "register, am- :'■ •• der one of the' "Unclassified Societies

KEWS AND NOTES

Acts for twelve months, to enable the Government 11 tax of Is. per acre to be collected, and the different associations formed. Small Lots for the Public. A paper, on "Reaching the Consumer," prepared by Mr. Maurice Hurst, was read; in' which advice was given on how to . increase the popularity of fruit as an .article of diet. A. discussion en- ! sued, and the desire was expressed for some form t of small package that could be sent with fruit to the consumer. Mr. White (Hawke's Bay) said that growers would bo "up against" the retailers when tliey tried l to deal direct with the consumer. It would be a splendid thing for the fruit industry if they got a suitable package to send small quantities to the buyers. "Until we can place in the homes of the people at a much reduced price we shall not have fruit placed on the table as an ordinary diet," said another member At present, the' price made fruit a luxury in most, of the homes. Mr. W. C. Hyde contributed a paper on "Fruit Cases and Fruit Case Supply." ,Mr. T. W; Kirk, commenting on the suitability of pinus insignis,. said that it was found more suitable for fruit cases than white pine. ' Mr.. Nottago (Nelson)' gave an, instance of the value of afforestation. Twenty-two 'years ago, he said, tho South Australian Forestry Department planted land in pinus insignis. The land was then worth Bs, per, acre, and now they were getting £200 worth of timber per acre. Government Experiment Station. A paper on "Experimental Research" 'was* given by Mr. J. C. Neill, wHo emphasised tho greater need for research work. The fruit industry promised to bo of;so' much importance to the Dominion that the time had arrived when experimental work should be done, and a station should be formed by the Government when. affairs, returned to normal. (Applause.) -Mr. F. S. Pope, Secretary of Agriculture, said'that with a view to getting protection for new varieties ho had communicated with the High Commissioner,', and he had'been getting into touch with the Home Office, so that protection could be given to a new fruit,, just the same as it was given to a new window-fastener or anything else. The Government had three experimental stations at present, almost .confined to horticulture. They were controlled by tho Fields Department, but tho Board of Agriculture had recommended that they should be transferred to the Orchards Department. "Depreciation : in Market Value." of Fruit through' Spraying,_ and Injury or Careless Management," was the title of a paper given by Mr. J. A. Campbell, orchards instructor, Hawke's Bay... He was of' opinion that New Zealand had generally failed in the first experiment in the fruit export, trade -to South America by hot; giving tho goods required; -. Another paper contributed was entitled "Frost Fighting," by Mr. R.: Paynter. , A remit carried urged the removal of' protection on hares and Californian quail. ; .■■ . • •A motion was also carried urgingthe removal of the protection on opossums in districts in "which fruit is grown. Legislation Needed. ..-Mr. G. A. Green (Huapai) moved that, the Government be asked to bring down this present session an amending Bill, including the following clauses to be added to Section IV, Clause 2/of the Orchard and Garden ■ Diseases . Amendment Act, 1914, such. clauses having been in the draft Bill which has-been passed by the Federation of Fruitgrowers aild tile Association of Nurserymen on several occasions, and which Mr. Massey promised the deputation should be embodicdih an .amending Act.this session:—(l)' Providing for a nomenclature and certification board j (2) providing for registration of new, varieties of trees and plants, and the protection of tho interests of the raisers; (3) providing for the .half value of any New Zea-land-grown nursery stock condemned by any officer of the Agricultural Department.—Carried. , 1 s Mr. Ffitch (Canterbury) moved: "That itfo Government be requested to appoint more expert instructors, and that there ho rigid enforcements of the Orchards and Gardens Pests Act, cspecial]y,;'regarding the codlin/moth."— Carried.' ■ ; It was resolved on the motion of Mr. Davidson (Otago) that the Government bo. urged to'bring, all orchards on the experimental farms under the control of the Orchards, Gardens, and Apiary Division. • ~ It was decided to ask the Government'

to prohibit the sale of fruit under a false name. •Mr. Becroft, senr., moved that the Government be urged to establish light railways to fruit centres. —Carried. It was'resolved, on the motion of Mr. Hudson, M.Pr (Motueka): "That in tho opinion of the conference the salaries at present paid to orchard instructors arc quite inadequate to retain the services of efficient men." The Government, it was decided, bo asked to furnish guarantees of strength and purity of spraying material. ■ : Mr. Greenwood moved that a request be made for an experimental fruit farm in tho Henderson district.—Carried. Also, on the motion of Mr. Greenwood, it-was resolved to urge the Government to amend Clause 146 of tho Public Works Act 'to exempt orchard properties regarding tho removal of shelter belts on public roads. MOLASSES AS CATTLE-PEED AN EXTRAORDINARY CASE. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) _ -Whangarei, August o. j?hearing of an extraordinary'ease, ana . the first of its kind in tho I)omiiiion, ■ was concluded at. Wliangarei yesterday before Mr.. E. Page, S.M. Herbert bhalders, farmer, claimed £94 os: damages from Jas. Harrison and Sons, Wharigarei. Plaintiff alleged that six of his cows had been poisoned by eating molasses supplied by defendants. The evidence given wa? to the effect that the cows after taking the molasses foamed at the mouth, staggered and fell, and seemed to bo paralysed, and only recovered after prolonged treat'ment._ It was found that the barrel contained a certain amount of oil, and that the Sugar Refilling Company at Chelsea, the manufacturers of the molasses in question, use empty oil casks for molasses, the casks being first steamed dry!" ■ ■ Alfred Jas. Parker, analyst, of Auckland, deposed that the oil—lubricating yellow mineral oil —in the molasses was not harmful to cattle, but the oil might produce dangerous results and symptoms similar to* that suffered by the cows.' \. ' '.' Cross-examined by Mr. H. H. Ostler, Mr. Parker said in his opinion tho lighter hydro-carbon in the oil was responsible for the poisoning, arid' agreed tliat the symptoms shown by the cows could ho duo to an overdose of sulphate •of potassium. True'molasses was exceedingly rich in sulphatof potassium, and the lighter hydro-carbon, which was .a narcotic poison. ; 'There was nothing in Blyth. to state that lubricating oil was poisonous. "Mr. Ostler,; for the defendants,. submitted that the cows wero given an overdose of molasses, which contained sulphate of potassium, causing sickness, and contended that the authorities showed that the lighter •Jiydro-carbons .were a. narcotic, not a purgative irritant. He quoted the evidence of experts to prove that lubricating oil was harmless,. and showed that the cows must be accustomed gradually to the use of .molasses. This was not done. , ' Mr. W. A. Carruth, for the plaintiff, declared that molasses sliquid be,labeltied "poison," and' 1 particulars given showing that it was not fit to , feed it j to cattle under certain circumstances. ' . Decision was reserved. LIVE STOCK SALES •: '.Messrs..- Abraham : and Williams, .Ltd.,report hiavinj? held their monthly sale fit Otaki on Tuesday, when large entries of both sheep and cattle came forward. There was practically a 'total clcarancc under the hammer at highly satisfactory prices. Quotations: S.M. owes in lamb. 225. 6d.; a nice pen of 100 two-tooth owes in lamb to Bomneys, 275. 6d.; backward and lowconditioned ewes in lamb, 14s. to 16s. 6d.; empty ewes, ISs. . lOd.; fat and forward ewes, Ms,; small hoggets, 14s. 64.'; fat hoggets, 225. 6(1. Cattle: Twenty-month' steers, £5 1&, £5 65.; fifteen-month steers, £3 7s. 6d.; yearling steers, backward,. 395.; yearling heifers," 335.; fat heifers; £5 15s.;' empty forward cows, £5 25., £5 35.. £5 10s„ £5 12s. 6d.; store cows, £3 25., £3 Us., to £4 10a.; heifers, close to profit, £5 Is., £5 18s., £6;. heifers.in. calf, £4 93. 6d.; springing cows, £6 10s.; bulls, £7, £7 lie. The New Zealand Loan, and" Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd., report having lied a successful stock sale in ,their Levin ealeyards on Wednesday. Bidding . was spirited; throughout, and with the exception of several pens of. heifers, the whole of their yarding was sold under the; hammer, at most satisfactory prices/ They quote:— Medium mixed-sex shorn hoggets, 15s. 9d. ; fat hoggßts, fat cows, £7 14a. to .£9 2e. 6d.; fat heifers, £6 155.; light fat bullocks, £12 ss.;' small vcalers, 30s. 6d.; forward cows, £4 155.. to £5- 165.; store cow, £3, £3 10s., to £4 Is.; rough three-year steers, £7 7s. 6d.; two-yeax steers, £5 125.; fifteen-month, steers, £4 Is.; ten-month steers, £2 18s. 6d.; wearier steers, low condition, 335. 6d. to £2 Is.; mixed weaners, 305.; bulls, £7 17s. 6d„ £8 17s„ £8 18s.; weaner pigs, 13s. 6d., 16s. 6d., to 18s.; light feut porkers. 31s. , COMMERCIAL ITEMS INVESTMENT SHARES. In the investment market a'sale of Wcllingon Woollen (preference) shares, a £3. 7s. was reported. The, quotations were as under:— Buyers. . Sellers. . ■ £s. d; ■.£s. d. National Bank '5 4.0 Well. Gas (pref.) : - 10 0 Well. Meat Export (£5) ... 5 15. 0 —. ;Well; Meat El." (£2l2s. 6d.), 217 6 30 0 Union Steam (ord.) — 1,36 Union Steam" (pref.) — 10 6 Koiapoi Woollen (ord.) ... 5 0 0 — Westport Ooal — 111 3 Westport-Stoekton 0 5 0 0 5 2 N.Z. Drag (£2) - 2 7 6 Golden Bay Cement — 116 Sharland's (ord.) '12 6. — ' Sharland's (pref.) 1 2 6 — Ward nad Co 5 12 6 — Customs duty collected at the port of Wellington yesterday amounted to £1871 183. lid. ... NEW' COMPANY. The "Mercantile Gazette" publishes tho following particulars of a new cream separator company, in the Wellington district:— ' Beatrice Cream Separator Co., Ltd., registered fl.s a. private company July 30. Capital, £1000, divided into 200 shares of £5 each. Subscribers: W. H. Lawson, 198; G. A. Somerville, 1; G. T. Withers, 1. Objects: To enter into a certain agreement to manufacture, etc., cream separators, etc. AUSTRALIAN PRODUCE MARKETS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Rcc. August 6, 0.15 a.m.) ■■ m . r Sydney, August 5. Oats—Tosmaman, SS.5 S . 3d.; New Zealand, "A" grade Gortons and Duns, ss. to ss. 3d.; barley, nominal; maize, 53. sd. to ss. 6d.; Java, ss. 3d.; .potatoes,. Taßmanian £8 to £10; New ealand, Up-to-date, £7 10s. to £8; onions £8 10s,. to £9, New Zealand £7 10s.;' bacon, lOd. to IOJd. Adelaide! August 5. Wheat, Ba.; flour, £18 55.; bran, 2s. 2d.; pollard, 2s. 4jd.; oats, 4s. 3d. ' MELBOURNE HIDE SALE. (Reo. August 6, 0.15 a.m.) Melbourne, August 5. Ait tho hides sale thero were good supplies and prices were unchanged. LONDON MARKETB. • Londont Augiwst % Wheat-Quiet and steady. Sellers hold for full prices, but the demand is small. Linseed Oil.—Spot pipes,, £25 ss. per ton. . Turpentine, 335. 9d. METAL MARKETS. London, August 4. Copper.—On the spot, £73 to £73 55.; threo months, £74 7s. 6d. to £74 12s. 6d. Tin.—On the spot, £156 ss. to £156 155.; three months, £157 15s. lo £158 55.; in stock, 18,220 tons; on spot, 1573; afloat, 4035; deliveries, 2063. Never has the demand for clear-headed constructive thinking in business been so urgent as it is right now. We ore living in a progressive age, and must take advantgae of all up-to-daite methods. It is in savings from waste of any description that money is made to-day, and by concentrating one's efforts on ail details of our business we claim to be able to produoe results for our many cream suppliers. We want more cream. Can you supply us? Further particulars, Wanga nui Fresh Food Co.—Advt. Messrs. Miller and Butter offer in another column freehold of established gen. artd (tors in Hawke's Bay, (or. Hie or cs« uplift '