Levin Fruitgrowers' Association

Horowhenua Chronicle, 26 January 1914, Page 2

Levin Fruitgrowers' Association

« llie ordinary monthly meeting ol the above Association was held in Mr D. Smart's rooms at V.HO p.m. on evening- lust, i'rescnt: Messrs H. iTiackburn (« hairman), J. (J. Xeill, H. Newport, D. Smart, Al. i< osella, and 11. iiutler. AlrG. Stratford, the Government Orchard Inspector, was also present. A communication was received iioni Air it. Hudson, I'resident of the .New Zealand fruitgrowers i'ederation, stating, that Air Alassey, when replying to a deputation from the Aew Zealand Fruitgrowers' Association, said that if the fruitgrowers in the Federation were unanimous he would favourably consider the question Ol levying the proposed tax of Ud an acre on all orchards before Parliament. Since then the exucutive iiad formulated a scheme with a view to obtaining the support of ail Associations, but the Canterbury society had a resolution that they '"absolutely refused to. support any Government tax on fruitgrowers." This society, however, had proposed no alternative means of raising - funds for the federation. Therefore they were faced with the necessity of dropping the Federation altogether and allowing all the years of past etiort to go for nothing. This was a retrograde step, and there appeared to be nothing more for the executive to do until the growers realized the necssity of supporting the federation or some similar body. He had asked the executive to relieve him of his position as president and appoint a man who could take a. more hopeful view of the position. Air ATeill moved that the letter be received. It seemed to him ihat Air Hudson attached too. much importance to the matter. He thought the effect of the tax would be" detrimental and the Government might just as well levy a tax on the farmers in order to uphold the Farmers' Union. The position m regard to New Zealand l fruit was totally uiif-t-rem to that of the Ceylon tea planters, where their whole existence depended 011 the export of theii tea. There was a local marivot lor fruit. Air H. .Newport seconded the motion, Which was carried without dissent. •n- H. Pickup, secretary of tlie Stoke Fruitgrowers' Association wrote stating that the following resolution had been unanimously passed by his association, and asking for the support of the Le\in Association in the matter: "That in view of the monopoly at 'present existing in the shipping trade Ihe time lias arrived when the' Government should engage in the sea transport of the Dominion." Air li. Xewport moved that the association accord its support to this resolution. Air AI. Fosella seconded the motion. Air Xeill thought That this was a political matter ouside the province of the Association. He thought the time was not ripe for such action. He moved as an amendment that the letter be received. Air D. Smart seconded the amendment which was carried. This concluded the businees of ' the ordinary meeting. THE AAii\ (j'AL AiiiETLNG. ! The annual meeting was opened | at (5.15 and was well attended, j After the sparse meetings of the <

uioi xu>\ mumns 11 was g'oou xo set .■very chair in tlie room occupied, Mr li. Blacburn was m tlie cliair, Mr Fosella read the adoption oi the annual report, which has already been published in tilt Chronicle. Ai.r .Neill moved that the report and balance sheet be received. Wr H. Newport seconded this and it was carried. Air Xeill moved that the subscription of members be increased by 2s Gd, making it 7s (id, to enable the association to join the I New Zealand Fruitgrowers' Federation. Mr Blackburn seconded tlie motion. -Ur H. Newport thought that the present figure (ss) was high enough. He had understood that if twenty-five members joined the association the 5s would be sufficient to enable them to join the Federation, and when canvassing for new members he had told them this. After some discussion Mr Neill agreed to making the increase Is instead of 2s Gd, raising the subscription from 5s to (is. I Mr Black seconded this which was carried. Mr Neill moved that the association request the County Council to increase the price paid foi small birds' eggs. Mr I). Smart seconded the motion. Various fruitgrowers present bore testimony to the destructiveness of the small bird pest, and tlie motion was carried unanimously. For the ensuing year the meeting elected the following officers: •• President, Mr 11. Blackburn ; Vice-presidents: Messrs ]). Smart, 11. Newport, •). C. Neill: committee Messrs W. G. Tlancox, 11. Finlayson, C. Blenkhorn, H. Butler, H. Bower: secretary. Mr Marco Fosella; auditor, Mr Dean. AI the conclusion of the business Mr G. Stratford read a most interesting paper (a summary of Better than the best of others' TAN-OL is "the" floor polish. On sale everywhere. In tins— liouirl Is I paste Gd.—Advt. i have slocKs of Arsenate of Lead (Swift's) for codlin moth: Bluestone (best); Hellebore fit Cherry Leech; Quassia Chips for Rose Aphis; all 'at the lowest prices and r »f best quality. F. p. Remington, / M Levin.

I which will appear in the Cnroi ■ icle -within the next few days) o "The Marketing of Fruit." He also answered many an varied questions as to the value c various specifics for blights an pests. On the motion of 3ir Neill, se( onded by Mr Fosella, a heart vote of thanks was accorded to M Stratford for his paper. The motion was carried by ac clamation. Tlic next meeting was fixed fu Friday, 13 th February.