FRUIT GROWERS’ CONFERENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 June 1923, Page 4

FRUIT GROWERS’ CONFERENCE.

POSITION OF INDUSTRY. WELLINGTON, June 13. At the Fruit Growers’ Conference, Air F. Cooper, representing the nurserymen, contrasted retail fruit prices with the return to the growers, and said that there must be a. tremendous leakage in distribution. Jf the public could buy at half the present prices, there would he ten times the present consumption.

The annual report referred to the renewal of the Government guarantee, the securing of advances from the Bank of New Zealand, and the allocation of refrigerated space as assisting export, also the new branding regulations and insurance label. The export for the season was approximately 1-10,000 case. Ruling prices had been low, and consideration of the methods of improving the marketing conditions, was vital.

■WELLINGTON June 13. A serious position in the fruit industry was discussed ai the annual conference of the Dominion Fruitgrowers’ Federation to-day. The Hon. .Mr Nosworthy said lie was sorry for the position of the fruit industry. It had been suggested that a commission should be set up to go into the matter, but lie did not altogether favour the suggestion. He ielfc something ".as necessary, if they were to make a success of the industry. There appears to lie a tremendous difference between the prices oil tlm farm and the prices at which fruit were retailed. He knew the seriousness of the position, and that it affected many very disastrousIv. 110-. v they could remedy matters was a problem. The officers in his Department would give any assistance. The I’resident, A. At. Robertson, said i.jitt growers must look to the Government tor guidance. Several schemes were coming forward, and they believed there were ways out. They wore pleased to nute the hardening o! prices in England, and that there was a bettor market in America than had been thought. They bad to grow better fruit. Mr Hudson. M.P., impressed on the Ministers that they were representing those who were up against it. Utt!e could he done without Government assistance. The industry was one of the most important to the country.