EFFECTIVE REPLY

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 171, 6 August 1937, Page 8

EFFECTIVE REPLY

Our Own Correspondent.)

Nelson Claims to be "Cayrying" the Federation OWES HALF ITS DEBTS

(From

WELLINGTON, This Day. "•Nelson is not only carrying the baby but the whole family," commented Mr L. E. Rohinson at yesterday's conferenee of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers' Federation. He alleged that many of the districts in New Zealand, including Hawke's Bay, were not supporting the trading activities of the federation in the manner that' was warranted. The profits made by the federation, he added, were largely due to the support given by the Nelson growers. The taking-up of a parochial attitnde coneerning the federation, which was a big co-operative association, was depiored by one delegate. "This federation is not only a trading organisation but a service organisation," said Captain J. L. Lambton, of Auckland. "I appreciated Mr Robinson's restraint in his remarks; in fact, he was quite apologetic for bringing it forward. I am satisfled that not one of the Nelson growers buys more than he has to. The federation there was on a competitive basis, and if it had not been it would not have got the business. I would point out that half of the federation 's sundry debtors belong to Nelson." This remark was greeted with loud laughter. "I wish to point out that the business done in Nelson has not been any casy matter," said Mr J. Dicker. "It has been due to the management we have there. It has all had to be fought for, and very hard at that." Mr R. Paynter, of Hawke's Bay, agreed .that the matter had been brought forward by Nelson in an apologetic manner. He was satisfied that the Nelson growers were not carrying on that trading unless they received benefit from it. The disaster which had occurred in Hawke's Bay through frost had not been magnified in any way. In many orchards where the norma! crop was 25,000 cases, fewer than 1000 cases were picked. AsSfar as Hawke's Bay was concerned, its purchases from the federation were not so great because of the growers' heavy losses. The chairman, Mr Ti C. Brash, explained that the federation was a Dominion service organisation and that if it were regarded in any other way disintegration would follow. The loyal grower in Canterbury received from it just as much service as the loyal grow•er in Nelson received. "One of the anomalies is that, although the business belongs to the growers, we have to light for it," he said. "Some of the cp-opexative - concerns in New Zealand have little idea of ideals, and this applies not only to the fruit industry. If we difforentiate, then this thing cannot stand." The discussion then lapsed.