FRUIT CONTROL

Hokitika Guardian, 14 August 1924, Page 3

FRUIT CONTROL

COMPULSION FOR. EX FORT. WELLINGTON. August 12. As promised by the Minister of Agriculture a Fruit Export Control Bill was introduced iu the House ol Representatives bv Governor-General’s message, the Lion. W. Niasworthy stating that d would be referred to the Agricultural and Pastoral Committee so that evidence could bo taken for or against its provisions. Thci BiR followed closely the lines of the summary circulated among fruitgrowers several weeks ago. A Fruit Export Control Board is to, 'be constituted to control tho export ol apples and .pears. It will comprise two persons nominated by the Gover-nor-General and live elected by fruit producers, grouped as previously indicated by the Minister. No person will lie competent to vote lor produces’ representatives unless lie oeetipies an orchard from which during any one of three years immediately preceding the election be exported at least tweii-tv-five eases of fruit. Two ol the elected representatives are to retire on August 31. 1923. two in August, 192 G. and the remainder in August, 1027. and they will be eligible for re-elec-tion. On further election any producers’ representatives shall bold office for three years. The board will control all fruit intended for export, including grading, packing, storage and handling. It lias power to appoint overseas agents and sole power to make freight contracts for exported fruit. A levy not exceeding 3d a, ease on all expotted fruit may Is* imposed by the board to meet expenses, and any sum thus paid bv a producer is to bo deducted from the orchard tax imposed annually. The local control section of the Bill is to come into lorce only after approval of producers in the provincial district. Persons entitled to vote will lie those carrying on fruit production in flic district and occupiers of orchards containing not less than 129 fruit trees. Foils must lie taken not later November 30. 1921. The provincial district, of Westland is excluded from this portion of the TliF. [f a poll is carried against local control it- may not bo reversed save on another poll secured on petition ol not less than 10 per cent of fruit growers, and if control is then carried it will not be operative until twelve months after tho carrying of the first poll. . Tho local control hoard will have the same powers as far as applicable as the Export Control Board. Provision is made for union of control hoards ar their request, and another clause will enable any local control hoard to lie dissolved if such decision is reached after three years following its establishment if 23 per cent of the producers’ petition for n poll on the su >- jeet and tho decision to disestablish the board is carried. Contracts existing Tor the sale or purchase of fruit, made before the passing of the Act arc not to bo interfered with by either local or export control boards.