Horowhenua Fruitgrowers' Association

Horowhenua Chronicle, 11 May 1914, Page 2

Horowhenua Fruitgrowers' Association

The ordinary monthly meeting of the above association was held in Mr D. Smart's rooms on Friday evening. Present: - Messrs J. C. Neill, J. E. Dean, I<. 0. Smith, 11. Newport, H. W. Bower, D. Smart, M. Fosella. Mr G. Stratford, orchard inspector also was in attendance. In the.absence of Mr H. Blackburn, Mr x Neill was voted to the chair. At the outset Mr Stratford said he wished to congratulate the association on the step it had taken in establishing a. depot for the disposal of fruit. It was a move in i he right direction. Discussion on regulation eight (which was postponed at the last meeting) was resumed. The regulation was as follows : — "Any members of the association availing themselves of the advantages ottered by the depot shall not, under any consideration whatever, cither personally. or by an agent, canvass for the sale of or hawk fruit or produce Eandled t>y the depot; nothing in tEis is to "prevent any member of the association while disposing of fruit or other produce' through the depot from supplying such produce on his own accoujit to order."

Mr Bower considered the rule a good one and ought fo» stand. Any members taking advantage of the depot should not go round and canvass the toAvn and Avhat they could not sell bring to the depot. Mr Stratford saul he thought it best to go easy at the start and not make the rules too drastic. Mr Smart remarked that if the rule Avas not adopted the depot would simply become a store room for fruit. Mr Stratford did not think that hnwking Avould do the depot any harm. The depot later on would not altogether depend on the local market but. Avould be supplying distant parts of the country. Mr Neill thought the rule Avould tend to scare fruitgroAvers from entering the association and they wanted as many fruitgroAvers in as possible. As "for retail trade, there AA'as nothing to prevent the depot from handling small cartons of fruit (say about 41b), in addition to cases. Later on a contract could be entered into Avith a earner to deliver all fruit. Disposing of fruit at a cost of 10 per cent Avas a cheap Avay of selling and fruitgroAvers Avould soon realise that it was much cheaper than hawking. Mr BoAver said that ultimately the question AA'ould have to be dealt Avith. On being put to the meeting the rule Avas throAvn out. Mr Smart, brought up the question of grading. He had sent a feAv cases to Wellington to fill an order and OAving to the fruit not being graded he Avas afraid he would get no more orders from the buyer. Mr Stratford said it was a most important point and it Avould have to be dealt with by the Association. Grading rules should be drawn up. H<v Avould also_ procure the departmental regulations for them. They should thoroughly overhaul the question and bring along any suggestions they may think of. Later he would give a demonstration in grading and packing. Mr BoAver considered'the idea an excellent one and Mr Smart offered the use of his rooms at any time. It Avas decided to have {he demonstration on Monday next Remits for the Dominion Conference Averc then taken. Mr Ncill said there Avas not sufficient experimental work done Avith fruit by the Government. He moA-ed as a remit That the Government be urged to place greater fat 4 - ilities under the control of the orchards branch of the. Agricultural Department for the prosecuting of experimental research in fruitgrowing." As far as he knew there was no experimental Ayork done in this country. A blight or pest might be due to a totally different cause in this country to A\'hat it was in another. Mr "N"eAA-port moved a remit: "That the Government enact a copyright law for new fruit or flowers." The secretary was instructed to Avrite to the orchard inspector enclosing a copy of regulations goA*crning the Association's depot and ask that it be forwarded on to the Department to ascertain if the regulations came in conflict with the laAv in any Avay. This concluded the business. The next meeting will beheld on Friday. Tune 12th.